In three weeks from today my wife and I will be confirmed by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo. I am wondering if there are any customs or words of advice in relation to this Rite which would be helpful to know? I have looked online of course but I trust you all much more than my simple web search. I have ordered special hankerchief's for this occasion in the event that the Bishop is liberal with the oil for our anointing. I hope that he is and our Deacon mentioned it in passing.
It has always been traditional that the Bishop will quiz the confirmandi about their catechism and knowledge of the Sacrament It has been a source of embarrassment and squirming around in the pew Maybe if you cast down your eyes, he won’t call on you Maybe he’ll call on your wife instead
I will readily admit my lack of mental acuity and poor catechism as a result when called upon but I am sure after taking one look at me he will pass to the next!
Does that happen at adult confirmations? I don't think they do now at children's confirmations. When I was confirmed at about age 10, the Archbishop quizzed a few children on the catechism. Keeping your head down is a good tip. It worked for me then when he quizzed a girl beside me and one sitting right in front of me.
Well, since things have apparently taken a decided turn for the serious; I have been studying a book published in 1962 titled My Catholic Faith on my own time in addition to our classes. I do hope that I am passed by because my memory is not as good as it once was and I don't wish to bring shame to my instructors or sponsor, but, if I am called on I will try to answer his questions truly and is why I have taken some extra time to study.
You'll be fine Don. You're not being evaluated for a place in the episcopacy. Don't worry about it and enjoy your special day. Spare a prayer to the Holy Spirit for you forum friends.
You will be ok Don. Remember your instructors will have a good idea of the sort of questions the Bishop may ask, and will no doubt remind you in the weeks leading up to your big day. A question I would expect Bishops to ask these days is; "Do you know the meaning of 'Confirmation'?" And I think it means you have been instructed in the Faith and now wish to become a soldier of Christ, ready to die if need be in defence of that Faith. The Holy Spirit will descend on you at the hands of the Bishop, leaving you ready for the Spiritual Battle. God bless you and your wife and family. Please God Holy Spirit will make known to you His presence on that day.
Don, my experience at Confirmations has always been a bit of light hearted fun by the Bishop asking questions that usually has everyone laughing if the children don't know the answer. And usually some humourous remark is made about their Catechism teachers, but all in good fun. One question I have heard asked is what are the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, so you might want to brush up on that one.
There is some good help here But I know you will do fine In a way I am sorry I brought this up because I didn’t want to cause anxiety Please forgive me if I have caused you undue consternation You are going to have a spiritual celebration for sure
I sometimes think of the Sacraments as being a little like Christmas. Every single one is a Gift. So God on that special occasion brings a special gift. I think I received my Confirmation over 50 years ago now and I think my special gift was St Michael the Arcangel. I took Michael as my Confirmation Name and I have a huge devotion to him. It was not, looking back on it that I followed him but that he has followed me, much as I have not deserved this. So I would this about any Sacrament . Be grateful. Be always, always grateful and this will give you eyes to see. This is so important about Sacramental Grace because a Sacrament is an outer Sign of an Inner reality and gratitude will l give you eyes to see. ....and eyes to see is such a Great, Great source of Joy. But remember this, the Holy Spirit brings to each their own Gifts. Be Grateful and your eyes will be open to see and unpack the Gifts He brings to you. Be grateful and you will have eyes to see. For it by this same Spirit of childlike joy that that which is invisible to the eyes of mortal men becomes visible. Thus Confirming you in Faith. Which is the whole intent of this same Holy Spirit. 'Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.'
No worries and no apologies needed HeavenlyHosts, I have been studying on my own and as a family around the dinner table in the evening (which has been really fun) and I know it will be a very special day for both myself and my wife. I began studying because I wanted to at least try to know these things without having to look them up. I believe in the importance what we are being taught and although we have covered a lot of ground in the last four months I think I have a decent grasp on the key points to commit to memory. Besides, if I study and know these things I know for sure I will not be called on!
I do know them and we were talking about them tonight at dinner in fact because I have been working with the kids so that they know them as well. It is the fruits I am not sure I can get straight because there are so many. God is so good to us it is overwhelming! Thank you.
Thank you padraig, I pray often the prayer to Saint Michael and he has delivered me from some very intense and scary battles. I have been having a hard time with a patron Saint to take for my Confirmation name because I feel a closeness to more than one. But, I pray most often to Saint Michael the Archangel and to Our Blessed Mother. I also find Saint Michael to be a constant reminder of humility and inspiration. I wear His medal in fact.
I have found to my intense surprise that the Greater these Spirits are the littler they are. St Michael is very,very little indeed. So little in fact that you pick the little guy up and give him a big hug. We need to be little enough that they can do the same thing right back. Thus it was that St John could lay him head on the breast of Jesus Christ and adopt the Blessed Virgin as his very own Mother. May the Holy Spirit minaturise you. May you disappear and the Child Jesus magically appear in your place.
Praetorian, I pray that no Siri's or Alexa's are allowed in Church, lol! Don, Best wishes to you and your wife. I don't remember the bishop questioning me, or my brother, or any of my children at any of our confirmations. I do remember that they allowed photos to be taken in Church as opposed to the communions. It is very exciting and from your posts I think that you are very well prepared!
