4Real Forums: Why should I make my Confirmation?

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Why should I make my Confirmation?

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robinhigh
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Posted: Aug 07 2009 at 5:50pm \| IP Logged

This is a question my 16 year old boy asked me. Looking for help in my response to him....

guitarnan
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Posted: Aug 07 2009 at 6:26pm \| IP Logged

First, because it conveys sacramental grace, which will strengthen you as you reach adulthood and maturity in your faith.

Second, because being confirmed completes your sacraments of initiation, and signifies your adult-level participation in life in the Church.

Third, because you have the opportunity through the faith formation process to learn more about your faith and eventually choose your own patron saint (your Confirmation name saint), who hopefully will be a role model for you as well as someone you can turn to for intercessory prayer. It's quite possible to draw very close to your Confirmation patron saint and to feel confident that he or she really, truly is praying for you and for your intentions.

I realize the whole Confirmation class/retreat process is long and somewhat intimidating. My son already knew much of what they taught during the classes and found them boring. But...the retreat was amazing! He was inspired by our pastor and youth minister (both attended and participated in all-night Adoration, the Rosary, etc.) and really felt closer to God after that experience.

HTH...

P.S. - I know this doesn't happen to everyone, but I really did feel a rush of "something" at the moment I was confirmed. Completely amazing...

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

allegiance_mom
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Posted: Aug 08 2009 at 11:02am \| IP Logged

Robin, you could also tell him there is nothing wrong with waiting to be confirmed. If he is feeling rushed he may balk at the whole thing, but if you tell him he may prayerfully consider waiting a year, then perhaps he won't feel so pressured. Make him realize that it is truly a choice for him to be confirmed, not something you are going to have him do automatically because he is a certain age. You might want to involve a priest in this discernment process as well.

Blessings!

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robinhigh
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Posted: Aug 08 2009 at 11:39am \| IP Logged

Thank you Nancy. I will write him an email today explaining the benefits of the Sacrament.

And I will also give him the option of waiting another year. We've been through so much and I think it would be wise to wait one more year.
Thanks allegiance Mom, I was beginning to feel pressured to do this NOW so that i wouldn't be neglecting things.

guitarnan
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Posted: Aug 08 2009 at 2:44pm \| IP Logged

There shouldn't be pressure - that's one thing my son mentioned to me when I asked him what he would say to your son.

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

ekbell
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Posted: Aug 08 2009 at 4:02pm \| IP Logged

I like this question and answer from the Compendium

268. What is the effect of Confirmation?
The effect of Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost. This outpouring impresses on the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism. It roots the recipient more deeply in divine sonship, binds him more firmly to Christ and to the Church and reinvigorates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in his soul. It gives a special strength to witness to the Christian Faith.

There is so much to unpack in that answer! We receive the graces given at Pentecost, we are forever changed for the better, we grow closer to the Holy Trinity, gain strength.....

It's like the rain that makes the different between a poor and good harvest, between a few shriveled berries and a bumper crop of plump juicy ones.

RA's Mom
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Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 9:49am \| IP Logged

I have the same answer as other respondents but from a different perspective. Confirmation shouldn't be rushed but is a precious sacrament. It's a young adult's opportunity to choose and experience his or her own baptism.

I went through RCIA and was baptized and confirmed as an adult. Going into the water was one of the greatest experiences of my life, alongside my marriage and the birth of my daughter. It was actually hard for me to decide to baptize my newborn because I felt like I was depriving her of the choice of faith and memory of the sacrament that I had. My cradle Catholic husband told me the answer to the dilemma that he got those graces at confirmation but as with most of his explanations that left me with a lot of room for reflection.

Of course I baptized my daughter as soon as possible but because I saw the covenant as between us (her parents and godparents) and God. We promised to raise her in the faith with the understanding that as a young woman she will have to make a decision about whether to promise herself.

It's somewhat analogous to a custodial bank account. We establish these accounts for babies and make all the deposits. When the child is in elementary school (first communion) we start talking to them about savings and with careful supervision allow them to make deposits and withdrawls. When the child becomes an adult we sign over the account and he or she is responsible for making decisions about the "treasure" amassed there for himself or herself.

If a young person is confirmed just to please parents and teachers than this precious sacrament just becomes a reaffirmation of the initial baptismal promises. The child receive the grace to draw on but won't actually feel its power when its most needed to choose a vocation and move into the world.

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