Guidelines for Confirmation Liturgy
Normally the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This maintains, along with the renewal of Baptismal Promises, the ancient character of the Sacraments of initiation. The Bishop invites all the priests present to concelebrate. In this connection it is important to keep in mind, that the concelebrant is necessarily restricted in his activity; a priest should not concelebrate if he must be Master of Ceremonies, song leader, or general director of the celebration. A trained lay person or deacon will accompany the bishop to act as Master of Ceremonies.
The liturgy itself is taken from the special formulary for Confirmation in the Sacramentary (see listing under Ritual Masses). The Opening Prayer, Prayer Over the Gifts and Prayer After Communion, along with the Preface of the Holy Spirit are generally used. However, if the Confirmation is to be celebrated on a Sunday, Solemnities or the Vigils, the proper Mass of the day is celebrated. Weekdays within the Octave of Easter must be celebrated with the Proper of the Day.
Entrance or Gathering
The hymn or antiphon is sung as the Bishop processes into the Church. included in this procession are first the Confirmandi and their sponsors, the various ministers, the concelebrants, and finally the Bishop. The music plays until the Bishop is standing before the Presider's Chair, or if incense is used until the Bishop finishes incensing the altar.
Penitential Rite
Any option in the Sacramentary may be use. Please note choice on information sheet. During the Easter season, the Sprinkling rite is recommended. Music should be played quietly during the rite.
Gloria
This ancient prayer of the community is to be said or sung during the Confirmation Liturgy. The exceptions being the time of Advent and Lent.
Liturgy of the Word
Two or three Readings are normally selected (see Lectionary No. 736-737). On Sundays Solemnities or their Vigils, the Proper Readings of the day are used. Those chosen to do the reading should know how to sue the microphone and be well prepared to "PROCLAIM" the scripture. Please note readings on information sheet.
Presentation of Candidates
After the Proclamation of the Gospel, the Candidates are presented to the Bishop. The Pastor, Parochial Vicar or Confirmation Coordinator present the Candidates to the Bishop. A formula such as this may be used: "Bishop, the parish community of St. N--, wishes to present to you its young men and women who have been prepared and are ready to receive the fullness of Christian Initiation in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Each candidate has been well instructed (please note some specific activities and services) and is accompanied by a sponsor. It is my privilege to present them to you at this time." All candidates stand for a brief period (with applause); at a signal from the pastor or the Bishop, they are seated.
Homily
During the homily the candidates sit and listen to the Bishop's instruction on the Word of God. The Bishop gives the homily. (Please have a cordless microphone or microphone with a long cord so the bishop can walk down the front pews.)
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
The Bishop leads the renewal of baptismal promises. He will ask the Confirmandi to stand.
Prayer over the Candidates
The Candidates stand while the Bishop, alone, with hand extended, invokes the Holy Spirit. This is the "imposition of hand" and it is not performed by priests whose are present unless they are also to anoint.
Anointing with Chrism
The anointing of the candidates is performed by the Bishop standing in a convenient place in front of the alter in the sanctuary. The candidates will approach two by two with their sponsors. The candidates will stand before the Bishop. The Sponsor and Pastor place their hand on the candidates shoulder during the confirmation. As soon as one is confirmed, he or she leaves at once without waiting for his or her partner to be confirmed and his or her place is immediately taken by the next in line.
The candidate should present a cared to the priest assisting the Bishop, this card containing all necessary information with the Confirmation name in a conspicuous place. The candidates should be encouraged to give their names out loud to the Bishop prior to the anointing. The priest assisting the Bishop should be prepared to do so in cases where the candidate fails to give his or her name. The use of the baptismal name on this occasion better expresses the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation. If a new name is taken, it should be the name of a RECOGNIZED SAINT. Candidates should be guided in choosing a name.
As the sponsor and pastor place their right hands on the shoulder of the candidate, the Bishop anoints the forehead with chrism, saying "N--., be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." The newly confirmed replies "Amen". The Bishop says "Peace be with you." The newly confirmed responds, "And also with you."
The rubrics do not specify wiping off the oil in Baptism or Confirmation. It is better left on as a visible and more significant sign of the matter and form of the Sacrament. The Bishop's hands are washed after the anointing. For this purpose the following should be provided: lemon, water and hand towel. The Bishop will wash his hands standing.
General Intercessions
The Bishop gives the introduction. The prayers follow the form outlined in the Sacramentary or the Rite of Confirmation. The lay lector or newly confirmed persons reading the intercessions should be determined before hand and noted on the information sheet. They should go tot he ambo while the Bishop is washing his hands. Those making the petitions should know how to use a microphone. The Bishop concludes the prayer.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Preparation of the Gifts is coordinated by the MC. The gifts of bread and wine are brought forward and presented to the Bishop. The altar is prepared in the custom of the parish.
The Bishop will choose the Eucharistic Prayer and designate the part(s) for the concelebrants. Please indicate on the information sheet what parts of the Mass will be sung.
Concluding Rite
Following Communion the altar is cleared and the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the Tabernacle. The Bishop sits for a period of thanksgiving. Following the Prayer after Communion the Bishop may wish to make some remarks and thank the various people involved in the celebration. Please provide the names of people you wish to have acknowledged.
The Final Blessing is then given.
After the Blessing the Bishop recesses, followed by the Confirmandi. The Bishop will be available for individual pictures in the church immediately following the Ceremony.
Music
The celebration of Confirmation is a parish community event, in which music plays an integral part. The candidates and the entire congregation should be encouraged to participate. The choir may sing especially during the administration of the Sacrament. The liturgy should be designed with youth and their participation in mind. If confirmation candidates are from several parishes, an effort should be made to involve the musicians and other talents of those parishes.
The hymns chosen should dwell especially on the Holy Spirit, faith, witness, the Church, Baptism, Initiation. They may also commemorate any special season or solemnity on which Confirmation is conferred. Music conducive to congregational participation is particularly suitable.
Congregational music is preferred to solo singing.
Music should contribute to the ceremony without unduly prolonging it.
Records
The Confirmation register should include the name of the Bishop, the confirmed, parents, and sponsors, as well as the date and place of the celebration.
Notation is also to be made in the baptismal register or sent to the church of baptism. This is the principal reason for the retention of the traditional cards carried by the candidates. If several parishes have joined together for one confirmation ceremony, each pastor is t record the names of his confirmandi in his parish register.
Additional Notes
The parish information sheet for Confirmation is to be returned to the Bishop as soon as possible.
Confirmation gowns are an option. In place of gowns, some other common symbol for confirmation may be used.
There is to be an opportunity for candidates, parents, and sponsors to receive the Sacrament of Penance at an opportune time before the day of Confirmation.
Six (6) altar servers (boys and girls) should be appointed to assist at the ceremony (cross bearer and two acolytes, miter bearer, crozier bearer, and thurifer). A bishop's master of ceremonies will on most occasions be available before the ceremony to assist servers.
The Bishop will wear and carry the crozier into the church and give them to the MC when he arrives in the sanctuary. He will receive the miter when he sits for the readings and take the crozier when he stands for the Gospel. After the homily, during the renewal of baptismal promises, the Bishop will have both miter and crozier. He will return the miter and crozier to the MC after the last candidate is confirmed before washing his hands. He will receive them back after the concluding prayer of the Mass and before the final blessings.
In the Processional into the Church, the Bishop enters last followed by miter and crozier bearers; in the Recessional, the Bishop follows the priests and other ministers of the Mass, preceding the Confirmandi and their sponsors.
The Bishop encourages each parish to have a reception for the candidates and their families and sponsors after the ceremony and photo opportunity.
If professional photos of the confirmandi are taken as a group, they should be taken before the Liturgy. Bishop will only be available for individual pictures of the confirmandi after the liturgy. The Bishop requests that no pictures be taken during the confirmation ceremony.
Video taping during the mass is allowed if done discreetly without causing disruption. The camera should be situated in one location and not made mobile. It is recommended that one person video tape and make copies available to all who desire a copy.
Lectors at mass need to be well trained. If the confirmandi are not comfortable and well trained to PROCLAIM the scripture readings, trained adult lectors should be assigned. This also applies to those reading the petitions.
Arrangements should be made in advance with the Bishop's secretary for the Bishops accommodations. Ordinarily, the Bishop does not wish a dinner in advance of a confirmation.
Lay men and deacons have been prepared to serve as a Master of Ceremonies. They will try to arrive one hour in advance of the ceremonies to work with the altar servers and other staff.
If you have any questions, please telephone the Bishop's office.