Confirmación: Normas arquidiocesanas
Normas para la preparación al sacramento de la Confirmación en la Archidiócesis de Boston
Normas para la preparación al sacramento de la Confirmación en la Archidiócesis de Boston
Este documento y el decreto que lo acompaña sustituyen formalmente las normas proporcionadas en el documento de 1989 “Orientaciones pastorales para la celebración de los sacramentos”, comúnmente conocido como el “Libro Gris”, y las normas proporcionadas en el documento “Preparación para la Confirmación: Recursos y Orientaciones”, comúnmente conocido como “Libro Rojo”.
Documentos Importantes
Las directrices de la Conferencia Episcopal y de la Arquidiócesis ceden siempre el paso a las directrices de la Iglesia universal. .
“El sacramento de la confirmación, que imprime carácter y por el que los bautizados, avanzando por el camino de la iniciación cristiana, quedan enriquecidos con el don del Espíritu Santo y vinculados más perfectamente a la Iglesia, los fortalece y obliga con mayor fuerza a que, de palabra y obra, sean testigos de Cristo y propaguen y defiendan la fe.” CIC, c. 879
¿Quién puede recibir el Sacramento de la Confirmación?
Un católico bautizado que desee ser confirmado, esté debidamente dispuesto e instruido para el sacramento y sea capaz de renovar sus promesas bautismales puede recibir el sacramento de la Confirmación. En el rito romano, a no ser que haya peligro de muerte o que la conferencia episcopal disponga otra cosa, el sacramento se debe conceder en torno a la edad de la discreción (alrededor de los 7 años). En Estados Unidos, la conferencia episcopal permite a cada obispo establecer para su diócesis una edad comprendida entre los 7 y los 16 años. En la Arquidiócesis de Boston, el sacramento se administra en torno a los 13-14.
“Los ministros sagrados no pueden negar los sacramentos a quienes los pidan de modo oportuno, estén bien dispuestos y no les sea prohibido por el derecho recibirlos.” (CIC, c. 843 §1).
Normas de la Iglesia: CCE, 1306; CIC, cc. 889-891
¿Qué significa estar ” adecuadamente instruido ” y ” propiamente dispuesto ” para recibir el Sacramento de la Confirmación?
“Disposición adecuada” se refiere a un católico bautizado con buena reputación y en estado de gracia (es decir, sin conocimiento de pecados mortales no confesados).
“”Adecuadamente instruidos” se refiere a la instrucción evangélica y catequética que los párrocos y otros fieles cristianos proporcionan a su discreción, junto con las normas establecidas por la arquidiócesis o la conferencia episcopal.
Normas de la Iglesia: CCE, 1319; CIC, 843 §2; 889 §1-2; GCSPD, n.18
¿Qué se requiere para ser considerado “adecuadamente instruido” y preparado para recibir la Confirmación en la Arquidiócesis de Boston?
La Arquidiócesis de Boston no exige más que las normas universales de la Iglesia: un bautizado en estado de gracia que ha alcanzado la edad de discreción y que pide el sacramento. La persona también entiende – de una manera apropiada a su edad o capacidad – que 1. un sacramento es un signo exterior de una gracia interior instituida por Cristo y 2. el sacramento de la Confirmación perfecciona la gracia bautismal; y 3. el sacramento da el Espíritu Santo para incorporarnos más firmemente a Jesucristo, fortalecer nuestro vínculo con la Iglesia, asociarnos más estrechamente a su misión y ayudarnos a dar testimonio de la fe cristiana con palabras acompañadas de obras.
Church Guidelines: CCC, 1285-1321; CIC, 843 §2; 889 §1-2; GCSPD, n.18
When should the Sacrament of Confirmation be given?
In the Archdiocese of Boston, the Sacrament of Confirmation is to be bestowed normally around 8th grade when adolescents are 13 or 14 years old (by May 1, 2027). But there is no obligation to be confirmed at this age. For this reason, parishes should expect to receive and prepare candidates for Confirmation who request to receive the sacrament at an older age.
An individual person may request permission from his or her pastor to receive Confirmation between the ages of 7 and 13. In the case of children in danger of death, any priest has the faculty to administer confirmation and should exercise it even for children who have not yet reached age 7.
Parishes may request permission to maintain a 10th – 11th grade Confirmation reception timeline. All requests will be taken seriously but will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please submit any such request in writing to Bishop Cristiano Barbosa through Patrick Krisak at pkrisak@rcab.org and Diane Campbell at dcampbell@rcab.org. Please visit evangelizeboston.com/confirmation for more information on what should be included in a request.
Church Guidelines: CIC, cc. 883 §3 and891
Are there reasons to delay Confirmation for individual persons?
If someone is not properly disposed, suitably instructed, or able to renew their baptismal promises then he or she or the pastor may determine that a delay in reception of the sacrament is necessary. If a person feels pressured or forced to make his or her Confirmation, there is reason to delay it. If someone does not wish to receive a sacrament, then they are not properly disposed and cannot be forced to receive it. At the same time, pastoral accompaniment for someone who must delay the reception of a sacrament is encouraged so that they may grow in habits of Christian life and desire to receive the sacrament.
Church Guidelines CIC, cc. 889-891
What is the role of parents or guardians in preparing their children for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Parents are the primary educators of their children. The Church recognizes it is the parents first, and then the pastors, who decide a candidate is ready for Confirmation. Parents can and should pray with their children at home, be involved in or lead their children’s catechesis for the sacrament, and participate regularly in the sacramental life of the Church with their family. For ideas and guidance on how your parish can support parents in preparing their children for the sacraments, contact the Faith Formation & Missionary Discipleship team.
Church Guidelines: CCC, 1309, 1653; CIC, c. 774; DC, n. 124; DDW
Is it permissible for parents to prepare their children for Confirmation at home without parish instruction?
Yes, given the primary role parents play in the faith of their children. Pastors are required to offer catechetical instruction to the faithful but parents may or may not choose to have their children participate in those offerings. Pastors are responsible for ensuring candidates for Confirmation are properly disposed and suitably instructed, but this does not mean that pastors can impose participation in parish Confirmation preparation offerings. Pastors should meet with candidates to get to know the families, learn more about the desire of the candidates for Confirmation and faith, and offer advice and guidance on what is required for candidates to be suitably instructed and properly disposed to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
Church Guidelines: CCC,1309-1311, 1653; CIC, c. 774, 776-777, 881-882;DC, n. 124; DDW
What is the role and requirements of a sponsor?
A sponsor helps the candidate grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ by being a model and guide to personal discipleship. The sponsor must be a baptized Catholic over the age of sixteen who has received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation), lives a life of faith, is not cohabitating outside of a sacramental marriage, if married has received the sacrament of matrimony in the Catholic Church, is not bound by any imposed or declared canonical penalty, and is not a parent of the candidate. It is desirable to choose as a Confirmation sponsor one’s baptismal sponsor (godparent) to emphasize the unity of the two sacraments. Whether a godparent is chosen as a sponsor or not, an individual’s godparents are encouraged to support the candidate and provide witness to their faith.
Church Guidelines: CCC, 1311; CIC,cc. 774, 872, 874 §1 °1-4, 879, 892-893
What is the role of the parish and pastor?
The parish is where the sacrament ordinarily takes place. The parish and pastor (along with other clergy, staff, and catechists) should support, accompany, and equip parents to prepare their children for the sacraments. The parish offers catechetical instruction to help parents form and nourish the confirmation candidate to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The pastor is responsible for determining that each candidate is properly disposed, suitably instructed, and able to renew his or her baptismal promises.
Church Guidelines: CCC,1306, 1309-1311; CIC, cc. 776-777, 881-882, 889-890; DDW
How long should catechetical instruction take to prepare for this sacrament?
The norm in the Archdiocese of Boston for the preparation of the reception of Confirmation at age 13-14 is no less than 6 months and no more than 2 years. At the same time, it is not permitted to delay the reception of Confirmation because a candidate has not taken part in a set number of classes or years of formation if they are otherwise suitably instructed, properly disposed, and able to renew their baptismal promises. This timeframe is not required for adult Confirmation candidates, for whom the length of preparation is at the discretion of the pastor but should not exceed 2 years.
Church Guidelines: CIC, 889 §1-2
How should parishes provide Confirmation preparation for Catholic school students?
In the case of students who attend a parish Catholic school, pastors have the discretion to permit preparation for Confirmation to take place in the school and the parish or to keep confirmation preparation solely in the parish.
Pastors have the freedom to decide whether to permit their parishioners to pursue confirmation preparation through independent Catholic schools not affiliated with the parish. Parishioners should contact pastors if they wish to pursue confirmation preparation at an independent school but should not expect such requests to be granted in all cases. In the case of candidates whom pastors permit to prepare for Confirmation at an independent school, pastors are encouraged to require the candidates to participate in some aspect of Confirmation preparation at the parish to foster the young person’s connection to his or her parish, be that a retreat, prayer service, or other similar event or gathering. Pastors and their parish faith formation leaders (including confirmation preparation catechists) should exercise pastoral care in these situations to help the family feel part of the parish without burdening them unnecessarily or repeating formation in the parish that candidates already received in the school.
Church Guidelines: CIC, c. 843 §1-2
What should be included in the preparation of a candidate for the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Any program of formation should not be limited to catechetical or academic formation but also include invitation and instruction on how to participate in the life of the Church as an expression of lived faith in the person of Jesus Christ. It should not be expected that candidates for Confirmation have memorized particular prayers or information on the Christian life such that they might be able to repeat them back or pass a test on the information. The expectation is that candidates have an earnest desire for the sacrament, openness to living a Christian life, and have been exposed to catechetical instruction and Christian practice at some point leading up to or during their preparation. A suggested program of formation is available at evangelizeboston.com/confirmation.
Church Guidelines: CCC 1309; CIC, c. 889-891; GCSPD, n.18
What role do retreats and Christian service play in Confirmation preparation?
A retreat should be offered as part of the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation but it is not permissible for a pastor or parish to require participation in a retreat as a condition for receiving the sacrament. No parish or diocese is permitted to establish requirements or particular law that exceeds the universal law of the Church and impedes the fundamental right of the faithful to receive the sacraments. Therefore, a parish cannot require participation in a retreat before someone receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The same is true for service hours. Service hours cannot be required because service is not required for receiving the sacrament. However, parishes should offer Christian service opportunities to candidates as part of their preparation. Appropriate catechesis should accompany these offerings to help the candidates understand the importance of service and know how to continue serving after their Confirmation. Candidates should also learn how to maintain and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
What is the difference in preparing an adult for Confirmation versus an adolescent?
Although the requirements for receiving the sacrament are the same, how preparation is carried out should be discerned with pastoral care and prudential judgment. An adult who has already been prepared for and received the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion should not be confused with a catechumen (who has never been baptized). Baptized adults need a different preparation experience than a catechumen and should not be included in RCIA which is only for the unbaptized.
Church Guidelines: RCIA, ns. 400, 402, 506, 535, 549, 565
National Guidelines: GCSPD, n. 18; NSC ns. 30-31
What is required for Confirmation of a child above the age of discretion who has not been baptized?
If someone is not baptized but is above the age of discretion (age 7, also known as the age of reason), they must be prepared for and receive all of the Sacraments of Initiation together according to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) adapted to their age, even if their age is closer to the archdiocesan age for Confirmation.
Church Guidelines: CIC, cc. 852 §1, 866; RCIA, ns. 14, 215, 252-259
National Guidelines: NSC ns. 18-19
What are the guidelines for choosing a confirmation saint name?
At Baptism, we receive a Christian name. Many young people find it beneficial to enhance their private devotion and Christian practice through choosing a saint name while preparing for Confirmation, which is encouraged. The name should be of a canonized saint or blessed in the Catholic Church but does not need to be from a saint of the same sex as the candidate for Confirmation. It is not permitted to require a candidate to choose a saint name and there is no need to choose another name because there is no mention of using a special confirmation name in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Code of Canon Law, or Order of Confirmation.
Should Confirmation take place within a Mass?
Sí. However, whether your parish’s celebration of Confirmation takes place within the context of a Mass is a conversation the pastor should have with the bishop or priest celebrating the Confirmation.
Church Guidelines: CIC, c. 881
Should robes be used for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation?
For the Archdiocese of Boston, robes are permitted but not required.
How should we let the Bishop know the name of each candidate?
Our bishops prefer to be shown an index card with the name of each person to be confirmed and hear the sponsor announce the candidate’s name. It allows them to clearly see and hear the name before using it in the rite, avoiding any miscommunication.
Do our candidates need to send a letter to the Bishop?
Parishes and individual bishops may request letters from candidates; there is no archdiocesan requirement and the Church does not state anything on this topic.
How does a parish request additional Confirmation dates?
It is expected that it will be possible for parishes to request additional Confirmation dates with Episcopal Vicars and Bishops through May 2027 using the normal process. While it is also possible for pastors to request delegation to convey the sacrament of Confirmation to account for the need for additional Confirmations, the strong preference is to request additional dates rather than delegation.
Patrick ha trabajado para la arquidiócesis desde 2014. Trabaja en las áreas de formación en la fe, comunidades étnicas, planificación pastoral, evangelización, discipulado y liderazgo. Patrick ha trabajado anteriormente en parroquias en la Arquidiócesis de Boston y en otros lugares como director de Evangelización, Director de Educación Religiosa y Coordinador de Ministerio Juvenil. Él y su esposa tienen dos hijos.
Liz es, ante todo, una hija de Dios. Está casada con su mejor amigo, Tony, y disfruta de su ayuda para preparar a las parejas para el matrimonio. Tiene tres hijos adultos y le encanta ser “Nana” para sus nietos. Liz comenzó a servir en el ministerio cuando sus hijos eran pequeños, como lo hacen muchas madres. Eventualmente, su párroco le pidió que dirigiera el programa de formación en la fe de la escuela secundaria. Estudiada con una licenciatura en negocios de Worcester State College, sabía que necesitaba más teología. Después de certificados en catequesis y ministerio juvenil, pasó a obtener su Maestría en Estudios Teológicos del Seminario de St John. Antes de venir a la Arquidiócesis de Boston en 2016, Liz fue directora del ministerio de jóvenes y adultos jóvenes de la Diócesis de Worcester. Ella ha sido bendecida por servir en el equipo de Cursillo, dirigir peregrinaciones a sitios Marianos y viajes misioneros a nivel local y en el extranjero.
Chris es originario de Caldwell, Nueva Jersey y ha vivido en Massachusetts desde 1991. Se graduó de Boston College con títulos en Teología e Historia. Después de la universidad, Chris comenzó una carrera de 31 años en la industria de seguros de vida, donde trabajó en ventas, distribución y administración de cuentas para el mercado de planificación patrimonial y donaciones caritativas. A lo largo de su carrera profesional, Chris también participó activamente en servir a su parroquia en una variedad de roles, incluido el trabajo a tiempo parcial como ministro juvenil parroquial, el voluntariado en la formación de fe tanto para niños como para adultos, el servicio en el equipo parroquial de RICA como catequista y padrino, y la coordinación de los esfuerzos de evangelización en toda la parroquia al dirigir el programa ChristLife.
En 2017, Chris dejó el mundo corporativo y transfirió su pasión por el evangelio a un puesto de tiempo completo en la Arquidiócesis de Boston, donde busca apoyar a las parroquias en la misión de formar y equipar discípulos para la tarea de la de evangelización.
Chris y su esposa Krissy viven actualmente en Attleboro, MA con sus hijos Brendan y Kolbe.
Rosemary es originaria de Hingham y, después de vivir en Minnesota y Florida, regresó a la zona para asistir a Boston College. Después de graduarse con un título en Marketing y Recursos Humanos, Rosemary hizo de Boston su hogar y disfrutó de su trabajo en roles de recursos humanos dentro de los servicios financieros durante más de una década.
En respuesta al llamado del Señor a usar su experiencia de liderazgo y desarrollo organizacional junto con su amor por Cristo para servir a la Iglesia directamente en su trabajo diario, Rosemary obtuvo una Maestría en Artes en Ministerio del Instituto Teológico para la Nueva Evangelización, complementada con el estudio a través de la Universidad Loyola en Roma y el Instituto de Teología del Cuerpo en PA, y se unió a la Arquidiócesis de Boston.
Además de su interés en encender el amor por Cristo en los demás a través de la nueva evangelización, ella tiene un interés particular en la Teología del Cuerpo, la dignidad de la vida humana, la intersección de la fe y los negocios, y la intersección de la fe y la cultura. ¡Le encanta visitar al Señor en la Adoración Eucarística y encontrarse con Él en cada encuentro individual hasta que lo veamos cara a cara!
Born in El Salvador, Wendy came to the United States when she was three years old, and ever since then, she has called Massachusetts her home.
Raised in a beautiful Catholic family, Wendy volunteered her teenage years to youth ministry and volunteered for mission trips locally and abroad.
Wendy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Northeastern University and later pursued a career in public relations. Today, Wendy has more than ten years of experience in the field of public relations.
In addition to her new role at the Archdiocese, Wendy continues to serve as an active member of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, along with her husband Deacon Franklin Mejia, and their two children, Gabriel and Isabella.
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