Sacrament of Confirmation Policy
St. Christopher Parish/Diocese of San Jose

Those who request the Sacrament of Confirmation:

1. Must provide a copy of their baptismal certificate if not baptized at Saint Christopher’s.
2. Must have attained the age of reason (age 7).  At St. Christopher School the Sacrament of Confirmation is received in eighth grade.
3. Are expected to participate in the weekly Sunday Liturgy.  (Online or In-person)
4. Must be participating in a program of faith formation either in the parish Catechetical Ministry Program or in the Parish Catholic School. Must have had one year prior catechesis before preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
5. Must complete the self-directed online 10 Modules, “Called to Mercy,” process for Confirmation.
6. Must have a basic understanding of the Bible, the Creed, the Sacraments, the Christian Life and Prayer.
7. Must complete 8 hours of service.
8. Must participate in all scheduled online sessions for 2020 – 2021.
1. Must participate in the Day of Prayer (retreat). (TBD 2020 – 2021.)

1. Confirmation Sponsors must be Sixteen years old.
2. Must have been fully initiated into the Church. Meaning they have been baptized, received their First Communion and are confirmed.
3. Lead a life that is in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken, is willing and able to participate in the Eucharist. (Receive the Eucharist at the Confirmation Celebration)
4. Cannot be the father or mother of the candidate.
5. Must meet to do a Sponsor and Candidate Reflection.

1. Catechesis is to be based on:

1. The doctrinal and liturgical content of the Rite of Confirmation
2. The Liturgy of the Word from the Lectionary
3. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit
4. The Liturgy of the Eucharist

2. Catechesis for the sacrament of Confirmation should:

1. Lead candidates to a deeper understanding & appreciation of the Eucharist and encourage candidates to attend Eucharist actively.
2. Help the candidates become aware of the presence of Christ in the assembly, in the presider, in the Word and in a special way in the Bread and Wine.
3. Acquaint candidates with the major symbols of the sacrament and lead them to reflect on their meaning.
4. Involve candidates in periods of reflection, prayer and retreat.
5. Provide opportunities for the celebration of the sacrament of Penance during their time of preparation.
6. Provide opportunities for the candidates to participate in acts of service both inside and outside of the parish. 

1. Pastoral practice presumes that persons requesting the sacrament are persons of goodwill and ask to celebrate Confirmation with a basic attitude of faith.
2. The parish community represented by the parish catechists, Director of Faith Formation make recommendations to the pastor as to the readiness of their candidates.
3. Ideally the parish priest or his delegate is to meet individually with each candidate during this time, since he must make the final discernment in the candidates’ readiness to celebrate the sacrament.
4. During the process the candidates’ readiness is discerned from his/her attitude, values, practice and understanding of the sacraments, according to his/her age and ability.
5. Recommendations regarding the celebration of the sacrament should not be based solely on the completion of service hours, however, the pastor may take into consideration when discerning readiness if a candidate has completed their service hours.

1. The newly confirmed will gather to reflect on their experience of Confirmation.

revised 11/3/2020