What is Confirmation?
Though we’ve often heard youth referred to as the “future of our Church,” the truth is, parish youth are essential members of our Church community now. As such, it’s important that our faith community find continuous ways to engage and form parish youth in the faith throughout their life, encouraging them to discover and utilize their God-given talents for His glory.
One of the natural opportunities to accomplish this is through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The third and final sacrament of Christian Initiation, Confirmation marks a period of maturation in the Christian life. Baptismal promises are renewed and the candidate receives a new outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Through the laying on of hands and anointing by the bishop, the confirmandi are sealed and confirmed into full union with Christ. They are then commissioned to go out and share the Good News of Christ by both word and example. This is only truly possible, however, if the confirmandi have first entered into a personal relationship with the Lord themselves.
Who is Eligible?
Here in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Confirmation traditionally takes place during the eleventh grade or junior year of high school. Our Confirmation program is open to any age-appropriate youth who is already a member of St. Angela Merici parish or who lives within our parish boundaries and has received at least two years of continuous faith formation prior to the sacrament. Confirmandi wishing to be confirmed at St. Angela Merici Church but who live outside our parish boundaries must first obtain a written letter of permission from their registered parish pastor or become a registered parishioner.
The Confirmation Preparation Process at St. Angela Merici:
Here at St. Angela Merici, we seek to adopt first and foremost a relational approach. Our hope is that Confirmation candidates will develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that will sustain them throughout their adult life. That they will come to know, love, and serve Christ and His Church, fully embracing a life of active discipleship.
To facilitate this process, Confirmation candidates must participate in our sacramental preparation program, which occurs within small group gatherings known as Discipleship Groups (D-Groups). These D-Groups are gender-exclusive, consisting of two safe-environment trained adult mentors and roughly 8-10 youth. They will meet a total of 8 sessions (roughly twice a month) at the date, time, and location determined by that particular group from September-late January 2022-2023.
Candidates must also attend a mandatory Confirmation retreat, scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 9:00-4:00 p.m., and a Day of Service scheduled for Saturday, January 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Candidates will also attend an interview with either Fr. Beau Charbonnet, pastor, or our parochial vicar Fr. Lawrence Murori in late February/early March to determine their readiness to receive this important sacrament.
Below, you will find a summary of all important dates and preparation requirements as well as the necessary forms and waivers to register for this year’s Confirmation program. Registrations are due by Thursday, August 18, 2022, and there is a mandatory orientation for both parents and candidates on Thursday, August 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Church. For more information about the 2022-2023 Confirmation Program, please contact coordinator Audrey Huck at audrey@stangela.org.
Summary of Confirmation Preparation Dates & Requirements:
- Mandatory Orientation for both parents and candidates – August 25, 2022, in the Church.
- Active participation in a D-Group (consisting of approximately 8 gatherings) in the months leading up to the sacrament. At least 6 scheduled sessions must be attended.
- Mandatory Confirmation Retreat on October 29, 2022, from 9:00-4:00 p.m. (Location St. Angela Merici Campus).
- Mandatory Day of Service on January 7, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Personal interview with Fr. Beau Charbonnet, Pastor, or Fr. Lawrence Murori, Parochial Vicar, in late February/early March. These will be scheduled at a later date.
- Confirmation Sponsor Form & Confirmation Saint due no later than Monday, January 8, 2023.
- Attend Confirmation practice and Evening of Reflection with your sponsor on Sunday, January 22 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Confirmation has been set by the Archdiocese of New Orleans as Friday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m.
