Confirmation confirms membership in the Christian community. In the early Church the three sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, were all received at the one ceremony. This was because in those days those being received into the Church were adults. It was only later that whole households, including babies, were baptised. In our Eastern Rite Churches, Confirmation and Eucharist are still celebrated at the time of Baptism, even for babies. Today, in our Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, Confirmation is usually offered when a child is around the age of 12.
When our children attend our Parish school, grade 6 is the time when preparations for Confirmation are complete and the ceremony is performed. Our children attending schools other than our Parish school are prepared through our Sunday School Program and they too, are usually confirmed at around the age of 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do we need to know about choosing a Confirmation name?
During the final preparation time for Confirmation, the students will be looking at the saints and the holy men and women of our Church’s history. The name your child is to take in Confirmation is to be one of those names – the name of someone whose qualities they admire. This name can be the one chosen by you for your child’s baptism, as long as it fulfils the criteria described.
According to Church law, a sponsor is to be someone not less than 16 years of age (unless there is reason that is considered just by the Parish Priest), who is a confirmed catholic, has received the Eucharist and is prepared to assist the child to grow to be Christ-like. The child is encouraged to consider asking his Godparent at Baptism to be the sponsor. Unlike Baptism, there is only one Confirmation sponsor.
- Can children who are not Roman Catholic participate in the Confirmation ceremony?
When we have children who are not baptised Roman Catholic, but who attend our parish school and wish to participate with the class mates, as a sign of solidarity, on the Confirmation day, these children are welcome to come forward to the Bishop for a blessing, after all the Confirmations have been completed.
- When are Confirmations for 2020?
Parents and their child to be confirmed are asked to come to a Faith Formation Night on Thursday the 18th of June and to a Confirmation Commitment Mass on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of June.
Confirmations will take place on Sunday the 2nd of August at 12.00pm and at 2.30pm.