St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Youth Confirmation   First Communion Youth Confirmation Adult Confirmation OCIA   Program Info Classes Begin: September 12, 2024 Registration fee: $60 per year Pay Here 2 Year Program:  Year 1: Understanding Confirmation Year 2: Understanding Community Hybrid Class Structure: 14 in Person Classes 13 at Home Classes Course Material: 1st Year - YOUCAT: Confirmation 2nd Year - DOCAT: Social Teaching Youth Bible Ignatius Press  Registration 2024-2025 Schedule Sponsor Form Safe Environment Brochure Folleto Sobre Medio Ambiente Seguro When we are confirmed, a bishop lays their hands on us and prays for us to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us grow in our relationship with God and gives us special gifts and strengthens us to live as disciples of Jesus. Confirmation also helps us discover our unique identity as part of God's family. We choose a sponsor who supports and accompanies us on our faith journey to help us grow in our faith. Through Confirmation, we are reminded that we are loved by God and have a special role in the world. We also learn about the unique cross we carry as Christians, which represents challenges or difficulties we may face. It's like a reminder that even when things get tough, God is with us and gives us the strength to overcome obstacles. Just like Jesus carried a cross, we may have our own crosses to bear, but we can trust that God will help us through it all. Confirmation is an exciting step in our faith where we become closer to God knowing that God is always there to guide and support us.

Preparation for Confirmation

1. Preparation for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a component of the ongoing catechesis and faith development of the candidates.
2. There are specific requirements which candidates must meet to qualify for receiving the sacrament.
3. All who meet the candidate requirements are eligible for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Confirmation Candidate Requirements

1. BAPTISM: Candidate must be validly baptized to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
2. MINIMUM AGE: Fifteen is the minimum age for Confirmation in the Diocese of San Diego, except for the case of unbaptized children or baptized outside of the Catholic Church; in which case they are to prepare as RCIA for children.
3. FORMATION IN THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH: Candidates for confirmation are required understanding the Catholic faith. As a minimum, candidates are expected to show competence in the following areas of Christian catechesis:
   • The Creed
   • The Sacred Liturgy
   • The Christian Way of Life
   • Christian Prayer
4. EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIAN LIVING: Faithful participation in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist; a commitment to ongoing human and spiritual growth and development through prayer and good works; involvement in the parish community.
5. PROPER DISPOSITION: A stated personal desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation; willingness to witness more firmly to Christ by word and action; acceptance of the responsibility to be an active adult member of the Church, to continue to mature in faith, and to put one’s faith into practice.

Immediate Preparation for Confirmation

After determination of readiness, candidates are expected to participate in short-term preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation:

1. Catechesis on the Holy Spirit
2. Catechesis on the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism; Confirmation; Eucharist.
3. Attend a Retreat
4. Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
5. Complete two years of Catechesis for Confirmation

Sponsors for Confirmation

1. Each candidate may have one sponsor and the sponsor does not have to be of the same gender as the candidate.
2. To be a Confirmation sponsor, a person must:
   • be at least 16 years of age and sufficiently mature for this responsibility
   • be a Catholic who has at least received their first three sacraments (Baptism, Holy Communion, & Confirmation) and is leading a life in harmony with the faith
   • not a parent of the candidate
   • a letter of good standing from the parish they're registered at

Confirmation Name

The new rite says nothing about taking a new name at Confirmation. Therefore, candidates may retain their baptismal name rather than take a new one. This is desirable because it manifests an understanding of the fact that confirmation “completes the grace of Baptism.”