According to the norms of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, youth must be in the tenth grade or older to be considered for the Sacrament of Confirmation. For their foundational preparation, ordinarily, these youth must attend a minimum of two full consecutive years of religious education.  Usually, this is completed with two consecutive years of enrollment in a Catholic school, a parish religious education program, or a home school religious education program.  Exceptions to this policy may be made as the Pastor deems appropriate.

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In addition to the two-year prerequisite foundational religious education, each student is to participate in a parish led free-standing Confirmation formation program.  This may include an off-site retreat, on-site classroom meetings, or some other model determined appropriate by the Pastor.  The parish formation program is of brief duration but is intensely focused on the nature, effects, gifts, and fruits of the Sacrament of Confirmation.     

 

The Sacrament of Confirmation is sometimes called the Sacrament of Christian maturity.  In the East, this sacrament is administered immediately after baptism.  In the Latin Church, this sacrament is administered at a predetermined “age of reason.” 

 

For the Atlanta Archdiocese, the sacrament is normally given to those in the tenth grade.  Adults (18 years of age and older) who have not received all of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation) are invited to speak with the Pastor about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

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A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in a state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs. (CCC 1319) The candidate has the right to make the decision about readiness to receive this sacrament.

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As a candidate prepares for Confirmation, he or she will be instructed in a brief History of the Catholic Church, Scripture, Tradition, the Magisterium, the Sacraments, the Content of the Holy Mass, Morality, Prayer, the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the mission to evangelize and defend the Faith. 

 

At St. Vincent de Paul, Confirmation candidates must:

1. Be registered members of our parish.

2. Provide a copy of their Baptismal and First Holy Communion certificates.

3. Be in the 10th grade or higher at the time of reception of the sacrament.

4. Maintain a 90% attendance rate in two consecutive years of foundational preparation (i.e., a Catholic school, our parish RE, or approved homeschool religious education program).  These are normally the 9th and 10th grade years.

5. Have actively participated in the parish Confirmation formation program (i.e., retreats, additional classes, service hours, etc.). 

6. Be an active participant in Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

7. Be in a state of grace.

 

At St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, we begin accepting registrations for our K-12 religious education program in May.  Classes usually begin in August.  Additional Information Here.