• “Parents and pastors of souls, especially parish priests, are to see that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the opportune time.” (Can. 890). All candidates for Confirmation will take a written exam. Candidates are expected to learn the material and be prepared to be tested.
• Only practicing Catholics in a state of grace should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Sacramental confession should precede Confirmation when the candidate is conscious of grave sin. Opportunities for confession, in addition to Saturday confessions at the parish, are available to all St. Thomas students by appointment. Confessions will also be available at the Confirmation Retreat.

Confirmation Candidate’s Duties and Responsibilities

“A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, has the intention of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial (Church) community and in temporal affairs” (CCC #1319, on the Responsibilities of the Candidate for Confirmation).
Each candidate, with the help of his/her parents, is responsible for choosing a sponsor. It is recommended that, if possible, one of the Baptismal sponsors be the Confirmation sponsor. This choice would express clearly the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation and would make the function of the sponsor more effective. 
Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation and perfects the Baptismal grace. The confirmed are expected to worship God by taking part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, to receive the Sacrament of Confession as often as needed, and to receive the Eucharist as frequently as possible. 
A confirmed member of the Church is expected to strengthen and support the Body of Christ, the Church, by prayers and good works. Each candidate is encouraged to perform a minimum of ten hours of community service per year. Furthermore, the newly confirmed are expected to continue their religious formation in the 12th grade of our Religious Education Program.

Requirements:

• Attend and participate in weekly scheduled religious education classes.
• Select a patron saint’s name (of either gender) as a Confirmation name.
• Participate in the Confirmation Retreat.
• Study for and pass your Confirmation Exam.Select a sponsor.
• Perform a minimum of 10 hours of community service per year.

Parents’ Duties And Responsibilities

“Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. Through the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents’ have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God” (CCC #2223, #2225, and #2226, on the Role of the Parent). 
As parents, you have the primary role in the sacramental preparation process for your child. You will help your child grow in the faith as you prepare him/her for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Your attendance at required events and Sunday Mass is important. In addition, your willingness, example, witness, and prayers make a difference in your child’s decision to receive the Sacrament.

A Parent May Not Be A Sponsor For Their Own Child 

Requirements:

• Prepare your child for the decision to be confirmed through instruction, example, and prayer.
• Instill in your child the desire to continue their religious education.
• Make sure that the Confirmation Registration/Data Form with the selection of Sponsor and Saint Name is returned to the Religious Education Office.
• Assist your child in ensuring they attend all the Special Confirmation Preparation Classes (private school students join SRE students for these sessions).
• Ensure your child attends the mandatory Confirmation Retreat.
• In addition, the Candidate must take and pass the Confirmation Exam with a grade of 70% or better. The Confirmation Exam will cover materials specific to the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your child has any special learning needs, please inform the Religious Education Office so we can assist him/her accordingly.

Sponsor’s Duties And Responsibilities

“The Sponsor for Confirmation is one who, fittingly, is a spiritual help to the Candidate” (CCC #1311, on the Role of the Sponsor for Confirmation).
There is no regulation specifying that men be sponsors for boys and women be sponsors for girls. Sponsors take on a life-long commitment to help their candidates fulfill the obligation for this sacrament. 
Although your role as a Confirmation Sponsor is not the primary role (that is the duty of the parent) you nonetheless are an important person in the preparation process and for the encouragement of the candidate to persevere in the Faith.

Requirements:

• Must be 16 years of age or older (at St. Thomas, the sponsor should be 16 at the time of the selection of sponsor in the 9th grade).
• Must be a practicing Catholic.Must have received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation).  
• Must not be prohibited by Canon Law from acting as a Sponsor (for example, if married, the marriage must be valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church).
• Must validly receive Communion at the Confirmation Mass.Must complete the Sponsor Eligibility Form and return it to our Office of Religious Education.
• In the event that the Sponsor cannot attend the Confirmation Mass in person, a proxy, explicitly designated by the Sponsor who fulfills the above qualifications, and who can provide the Religious Education Office with a “Sponsor Eligibility Form,” may act in place of the Sponsor (a parent may also act as a proxy). If the Confirmation Candidate has a proxy, the Religious Education Office MUST be notified in advance and be provided with the necessary paperwork.

For more information contact the Parish Office, 228-863-1610