The goal of the Confirmation Program is to pass on to our participants the Catholic Faith we have received “in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the [them] into the fullness of the Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church. No. 5). “The catechesis of children … aims at teaching them to meditate on The Word of God in personal prayer, practicing it in liturgical prayer, and internalizing it at all times in order to bear fruit in a new life. Catechesis is also a time for the discernment and education of popular piety. The memorization of basic prayers offers an essential support to the life of prayer, but it is important to help learners savor their meaning” (No. 2688).

“Confirmation brings to fullness that life in the Holy Spirit into which we were first initiated at Baptism. Hence, a comprehensive preparation for Confirmation necessitates proper planning of curriculum, serious teacher formation, clergy participation, parental involvement and the prayerful support of the total community” (Policies and Guidelines for Religious Education. 6).

“Parish catechesis for Confirmation involves the regular meeting of all candidates (at the 9th and 10th grade levels) throughout the year.

Program components include study, service, one-day retreat(s) and liturgy. Regular attendance at Holy Mass should be considered as the heart of all programs and the source from which programs acquire their relevance and importance” (7).Therefore regular attendance at Holy Mass is expected of all Confirmation candidates.

“The Confirmation Program of study includes such topics as: Christian Personhood and Community, the Old Testament, New Testament, the Life of Christ, the Early Church, the Pentecost Event, and the Most Holy Eucharist and the Sacramental life of the Church; other topics include: making moral decisions, Christian justice and various forms of prayer” (7).

“Instructional content for Confirmation preparation will focus directly on:

Understanding of Confirmation as a sacrament of initiation with a special sacramental bond to Baptism and First Eucharist.
Understanding of the role of the Holy Eucharist in the life of the individual and of the Church.
A greater awareness of the person of Jesus and His teachings as found in Scripture.
Understanding the importance of social justice.
Understanding of the Catholic Church: its sacramental system, doctrines, history, and hierarchical structure.
Understanding of the moral teachings of the Catholic Church including the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.
Understanding of the structure of the Mass and the manner for participating in it.
Understanding of prayer and its importance in our lives.
A working knowledge of The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Understanding of Christian lifestyles” (7-9).