2. Please provide a clearly marked parking place for the
Bishop or Dean.
3. For Confirmation only, the Mass text will normally be
the proper ritual Mass for Confirmation found in the
Sacramentary, with the preface of the Holy Spirit,
using
red vestments. When Confirmation is celebrated
together
with the First Eucharist, one might consider
choosing
prayers from the Ritual Mass for Baptism #1
or from the
Ritual Mass for Confirmation set A or B.
When
Confirmation is celebrated together with First
Eucharist,
the color of vestments is white. It is
appropriate for the
Pastor and other priests assigned
to the parish to
distribute first communion to the
candidates. On the Sundays of Advent, Lent and
Eastertide, and on other solemnities, the Mass is that
of the day with the appropriate colored vestments.
4. Three scripture readings will always be proclaimed,
taken from among those selections found in the
lectionary for the ritual Mass of Confirmation, or in the
case of a solemnity, or Sunday from the Mass of the
day.
5. All Priests present are invited to concelebrate the
Eucharist with the Bishop/Dean.
6. It is appropriate that two of the candidates read the
scriptures, but only if they are well prepared and able
to proclaim the text.Otherwise, a trained lector should
be used.
7. The Profession of Faith is omitted since the
Bishop/Dean will lead the candidates in the renewal of
the Baptismal Promises as a part of the Rite.
8. Enough altar servers should be provided to perform
the normal duties of serving Mass. (If the Bishop is
present additional servers may be appointed to handle
his miter and crosier.)
9. Altar servers should be appropriated trained and
dressed. No torn jeans, logo t-shirt or tattered shoes
should be worn under the servers albs. Albs should be
the appropriate length so that the clothing worn under
the albs cannot be seen.
10. Confirmation/First Eucharist certificates are not
distributed during the liturgy.
11. The community should be encouraged to refrain from
taking flash pictures during the liturgies. The
communities should be reminded that this is a
celebration of the solemn sacraments and they
should refrain from walking, blocking or standing in
the aisles and walking into the sanctuary areas
during the conferring of the sacraments.
12. Please remind the candidates for Confirmation to
dress in a modest fashion (no spaghetti straps or
bare shoulders, no shorts etc.)
13. The Bishop/Dean will be happy to pose with the
Confirmandi for candid photos outside the Church
after Mass, but not for professional photographers.
14. At the end of the ceremony, the Bishop and the
ministers will leave first in procession, followed by
the newly confirmed.
THE RITE:
15. The Rite as presented in the Roman Pontifical will be
followed exactly. Please consult the Office of Worship
if you need clarification.
16. The Gospel is proclaimed by a Deacon or one of the
concelebrating Priests.
17. Immediately after the Gospel, the pastor presents
the candidates to the Bishop/Dean. The whole group
is presented at one time. The candidates rise when
presented and remain standing while the
Bishop/Dean addresses them. The Bishop/Dean will
instruct them to be seated at the appropriate time.
18. The Bishop/Dean addresses the candidates in the
homily.
19. Following the homily, the Bishop/Dean leads the
candidates in the renewal of the Baptismal promises.
Then, the Bishop/Dean and the priests present
impose hands over those to be confirmed. Those to
be confirmed kneel for this, while everyone else
stands. (During the Easter Season all remain
standing.)
20. The candidates then approach the Bishop, with their
Sponsors (Parents may not be sponsors at
Confirmation.) Name tags should be worn by the
candidates and include only the name chosen for
Confirmation. Sponsors do not need to verbally
present candidates for Confirmation. It is important
especially when there are a large number of
candidates to keep the procession moving. Long
pauses for pictures or other reasons in between
candidates coming forward to be confirmed add up
when we are confirming large numbers.
21. During the anointing the sponsor places his/her hand
on the candidate's right shoulder.
22. For the anointing, a Deacon/Assistant stands with
the Bishop/Dean with the container of chrism.
23. Those in charge of preparing the candidates should
be sure that they are aware of the two responses
they will be asked to make during the reception of
the anointing: "Amen" and "And also with you."
24. After the anointing, the Bishop's/Dean’s hands are
washed. A lemon sliced in four parts should be
prepared and then a basin and plenty of water in a
separate pitcher is sufficient.
25. During the prayers of the faithful, petitions are made
by a Deacon. It is appropriate that some of the
candidates present the gifts in the procession at the
offertory.
26. The person in charge of the music for the ceremony
should meet with the Bishop/Dean immediately
beforehand to explain which parts of the liturgy will
be sung.
27. First Eucharist is distributed at the beginning of the
communion rite by the Pastor and priests assigned to
the parish. It is customary for the Pastor to invite the
Bishop to assist with First Communion. The Dean will
assist in distribution after First Communion is
complete.
Order for Rite of Confirmation within a Mass
• Liturgy of the Word
• Presentation of Candidates
• Homily/Instruction
• Renewal of Baptismal Promises
• Laying on of Hands
• Anointing with Chrism
• General Intercessions
• Liturgy of the Eucharist
MUSIC
28. Since the celebration of Confirmation/First Eucharist
is a solemn occasion in the parish, as much singing
as possible should take place. Although a choir is
always appropriate, care must be taken that the
congregation has full opportunity to share in the
singing. Music and singing may be included at every
proper place in the liturgy, but at least the following
parts of the Mass must always be sung:
- Entrance song
- Alleluia/ Gospel Acclamation
- Acclamations at the Eucharistic Prayer:
Holy, Holy, Holy; Memorial Acclamation;
and the Great Amen
- Communion processional
- Recessional (sung or instrumental)
CHECK LIST OF ITEMS TO PREPARE BEFOREHAND:
29. Everything normally needed for Mass.
30. Bread and wine prepared for the offertory procession.
31. A lemon sliced in four parts, plus a large dry bowl
with a pitcher with plenty of water, and a large
towel.
32. The Sacramentary and lectionary arranged for the
proper texts.
33. The Bishop/dean will bring the book containing the
Rite of Confirmation. Chrism from the parish will be
used.
34. Servers to assist Bishop with miter and pastoral
staff.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS:
(From the Rite of Confirmation)
The general intercessions follow, in this form:
Bishop: My brothers and sisters:
Let us be one in prayer to God our Father
as we are one in the faith, hope and love his Spirit gives.
Deacon or minister:
For our brothers and sisters, confirmed by the gift of the Spirit, that with faith and love as the foundation of their lives they may be witnesses to Christ the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Deacon or minister:
For the parents and godparents who brought these
newly-confirmed to the faith, that by word and example they may encourage them to follow the way of Jesus Christ. Let us pray to the Lord,
Deacon or minister:
For the holy Church of God, in union with N. our pope, N. our Bishop, and all the Bishops, that God, who gathers us together by the Holy Spirit, may help us grow in unity of faith and love until his Son returns in glory. Let us pray to the Lord,
Deacon or minister:
For the whole world, that all who have but one Father, one Maker, may see beyond racial and national differences to their common brotherhood, and seek the kingdom of God in the peace of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray to the Lord,
Bishop: God our Father,
you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles
and through them and their successors
you give the Spirit to your people.
May the faith and love that spread everywhere
when the gospel was first preached
Continue to grow through the hearts of all who believe.
[We ask this] through Christ our Lord. [All: Amen.]
Published by the Office of Worship with the approval of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, April 2006.
