On Confirmation preparation

The anonymous author of the catechetical blog Transformed in Christ (from a south London parish), has recently written about the true and authentic goal of catechetical preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  He's a part, with my empases:

Often you hear people saying that being confirmed is about young people ratifying the decision that was made on their behalf at their Baptism. I really wanted to ensure that in our group of catechists we eliminated this idea – a sacrament is always about what God does for us, not about what we do. We studied what the Catechism said. Confirmation strengthens baptismal grace; it seals the candidate with the Holy Spirit so that they belong fully to Christ and are enrolled in his service forever; they are strengthened to go out and spread and defend the Faith. Read more at CCC 1285-1321.

So if this is what the sacrament does, what must be the goal of the catechesis? The catechesis needs to form and prepare the candidate so that they are disposed to receive these graces – the grace of the sacrament is effective insofar as the person is spiritually disposed to receive it (this is a different thing from saying that the sacrament doesn’t work if they are not disposed – as we know, sacraments ‘work’ ex opere operato – out of the very fact of their being performed). But the more someone’s heart is open and ready to receive the grace, the more fruitful it will be in their life. How do we form Confirmation candidates so they are as disposed as possible to receive the grace of this sacrament?

The Catechism underlines two goals: that they develop a more intimate union with Christ; and that they develop a more lively sense of the Holy Spirit. [read more]

If more Confirmation preparation "programs" focused on this interior preparation, we would truly see a new Pentecost!

Capello tip to Father Finigan at The Hermeneutic of Continuity.


So if this is what the sacrament does, what must be the goal of the catechesis? The catechesis needs to form and prepare the candidate so that they are disposed to receive these graces – the grace of the sacrament is effective insofar as the person is spiritually disposed to receive it (this is a different thing from saying that the sacrament doesn’t work if they are not disposed – as we know, sacraments ‘work’ ex opere operato – out of the very fact of their being performed). But the more someone’s heart is open and ready to receive the grace, the more fruitful it will be in their life. How do we form Confirmation candidates so they are as disposed as possible to receive the grace of this sacrament?