Confirmation Registration

Required Paperwork

Information that is needed before a youth can be formally registered in the Youth Confirmation Program at St. Patricks Catholic Church.

Copy of Baptism Certificate: 

To obtain an up-to-date Baptismal Certificate, contact the Church of Baptism with the following information: Name of Child, Date of Birth, Date of Baptism, Father’s name, and Mother’s name including maiden name.

Submission of the Confirmation Registration Form & Payment

Before you complete the Confirmation Preparation program, the Candidate must complete the following (due dates will be provided when preparation classes begin):
 

Documentation of retreat attended within 12 months of Confirmation

Saint Name Assignment

Sponsor Covenant Form.

Baptismal Certificate of Sponsor

CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS

The following is reprinted from the Pastoral Manual for the Diocese of Austin.

Age of Confirmation
The age for the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation will be the early years of high school between fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) years.

Qualifications of Candidates

A. Each baptized Catholic has the right and the obligation to receive the sacrament of confirmation, but the candidate has the personal responsibility to choose to complete initiation into the faith life of the Church.

B. Candidates may request the sacrament if they:

1. Are baptized and able to renew baptismal promises, unless a grave reason suggests otherwise
2. Exhibit an active faith life and knowledge of the Church
3. Participate in the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Mass
4. Are willing to commit to active involvement in the parish confirmation catechesis
5. Are willing to respond to the call to active participation in the Church
6. Are willing to continue to learn and grow in faith following confirmation and throughout their lifetime

Confirmation Sponsors

A. The sponsor represents in a personal way the witness and support of the parish community.
B. Opportunities for catechesis should be offered to the sponsors in order to assist them in fully understanding their role in the ongoing formation of the candidates.
C. The sponsor should participate with the candidates in their preparation as well as the celebration.
D. To perform the role of sponsor, it is necessary that a person:

1. Be designated by the one to be confirmed, by the parents or the one who takes their place, or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intention of performing the role O-6 July 28, 2017 3
2. Have completed the sixteenth (16) year, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan Bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be made for a just cause
3. Be a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with faith and the role to be undertaken
4. Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared
5. Not be the father or the mother of the one to be confirmed (c. 874)

E. A spouse may not serve as a sponsor for their spouse.

Diocese Requirements

ROLE OF THE SPONSOR

The sponsor’s function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the duties inherent in this sacrament.

A sponsor is:

A role model; a person who fully embraces and lives the Catholic faithfully together with full participation in their local Catholic Church.

A mentor, someone to help guide and encourage the Candidate. Walking side by side as the Candidate seeks to respond to God’s call.

A trusted adult, who is willing to stand with the Candidate not only during a ceremony but throughout life’s journey. 

Code of Canon Law # 893 states:
“... that a person who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfill the conditions mentioned in Can. 874 and that it is desirable that the sponsor chosen be the one who undertook this role at baptism.”
 
Canon # 874 states:
“ To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

Be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or minister. To be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;

Not be less than 16 years of age;

Be a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and a person who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; (Must attend Sunday liturgy every week, be in a valid marriage if married.)

Not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared; (Must be in a state of Grace.)

Not be either the father or mother of the person to be confirmed.”

 
IN ADDITION, SPONSORS ARE ASKED TO:

PRAY FOR and WITH the candidate

Actively participate in the process, helping and discussing the Sponsor Manual activities, while sharing their faith with their Candidate.

Attend the Confirmation Rehearsal before Confirmation, and attend the Confirmation ceremony

ROLE OF THE SPONSOR

The sponsor’s function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the duties inherent in this sacrament.

A sponsor is:

1. A role model; a person who fully embraces and lives the Catholic faithfully together with full participation in their local Catholic Church.

2. A mentor, someone to help guide and encourage the Candidate. Walking side by side as the Candidate seeks to respond to God’s call.

3. A trusted adult, who is willing to stand with the Candidate not only during a ceremony but throughout life’s journey. 

Code of Canon Law # 893 states:
“... that a person who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfill the conditions mentioned in Can. 874 and that it is desirable that the sponsor chosen be the one who undertook this role at baptism.”
 
Canon # 874 states:
“ To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1. Be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or minister. To be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;
2. Not be less than 16 years of age;
3. Be a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and a person who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; (Must attend Sunday liturgy every week, be in a valid marriage if married.)
4. Not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared; (Must be in a state of Grace.)
5. Not be either the father or mother of the person to be confirmed.”

 
IN ADDITION, SPONSORS ARE ASKED TO:

PRAY FOR and WITH the candidate

Actively participate in the process, helping and discussing the Sponsor Manual activities, while sharing their faith with their Candidate.

Attend the Confirmation Rehearsal before Confirmation, and attend the Confirmation ceremony

SELECTING THE NAME OF YOUR SAINT

The Communion of Saints is the persons in heaven who intercede with God on our behalf. Thus, the saints are our patrons in Heaven. In acknowledging the saints, we acknowledge our connection with them through and in Christ and to each other. Teen Candidates will be asked to select a Saint to be their patron for Confirmation and write an essay explaining their choice.
 
Here are some websites to help in your research:

• www.lifeteen.com, CLICK on “Saints”
• www.americancatholic.org/
• www.catholic - forum.com/saints
• http://www.silk.net/RelEd/saints.htm
• http://www.catholic.org/saints/
• http://www2.webmagic.com/saints.com

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