Preparing for Confirmation & Remote Preparation
Preparing for any Sacrament involves both Remote Preparation and Immediate Preparation. Remote Preparation involves instruction and development of the basic knowledge and skills needed to succeed in any endeavor. For example, remote preparation for the game of basketball would include learning the skills of running, shooting, passing, and dribbling. For the faith, this includes a regular pursuit of our parish’s mission statement: Meet Christ. Follow Christ. Bear Christ.
Immediate Preparation involves instruction in and practice of the specific skills pertaining to a particular endeavor. In basketball, this would include the rules of the game, running plays, and planning for various game situations. For Confirmation, this includes instruction about the Sacrament itself, its effects on the soul, and how to cooperate with the grace it imparts.
In the Diocese of Madison, remote preparation takes place for two years before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. That means that young people who desire to be confirmed in 9th grade must begin this process no later than the beginning of 8th grade (of course, remote preparation ought to take place every year!). Pursuit of the Parish Mission (and thereby, remote preparation) means:
Meet Christ.
A habit of meeting Christ at the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, personal prayer, and more intensive times of prayer, such as through a retreat experience. Candidates are assumed to have adequate remote preparation in this area by meeting the following minimum requirements:
- Demonstrated attendance at Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation
- Participation in a retreat experience during both years of remote preparation
This includes pilgrimages, Steubenville Conferences, Love Begins Here, and any other retreat approved by the pastor or program coordinator.
Follow Christ.
Learning about Christ, His teachings, and His Church and striving to live those teachings in everyday life. Most often, this looks like formal religious instruction, such as in a Catholic school or through the parish’s Religious Education program. The standard for formation set by the Diocese of Madison is 30 hours of instruction per school year. Candidates are assumed to have adequate remote preparation in this area by meeting the following minimum requirements:
- Participation in religious instruction that meets the standards set by the Diocese of Madison (can be checked through the pastor or program coordinator) for at least 30 hours in both years of remote preparation
Demonstrated knowledge or grasping of the concepts expected of young people in those respective grade levels (according to the Diocese of Madison’s Catechetical Standards and Benchmarks)
Bear Christ.
Bringing the love of Christ to others through our witness, our service to the poor, and investing in our parish through stewardship and tithing. Candidates are assumed to have adequate remote preparation in this area by meeting the following minimum requirements:
- Completion of 15 hours of service to the parish and/or the poor during each year of remote preparation (through Religious Education or Youth Ministry, Love Begins Here, and other works of service approved by the pastor or program coordinator).