Confirmation for Adults
~A New Preparation Process~

From The Catholic New World, November, 2004

Last winter the Bishops of the Archdiocese of Chicago met with Maruja Sedano, the Director of the Office for Catechesis (OFC), and Todd Williamson, the Director of the Office for Divine Worship (ODW) to express their concern about the many ways adults asking for Confirmation where being prepared for the sacrament. They wondered if there wasn’t some way to develop consistency throughout the Archdiocese. It was determined that the responsibility for catechesis for Adult Confirmation would become part of the mission and effort of the OFC, working closely with ODW.

 A pilot version of the resulting Confirmation preparation program culminated when thirty-six (36) adults from sixteen (16) parishes received the Sacrament of Confirmation on November 1 at St. Matthias Church, 2310 W. Ainslie in Chicago, with Bishop Kane presiding.  All of these adults met the criteria of “catechized”: all were active Catholics, participating in weekly Mass and sacraments, and had received religious education beyond their First Communion.

 “I found that the sessions reinforced my faith,” said Jeff Snyder, parishioner and member of the Worship Committee at St. Vincent de Paul.  Christina Anton of Our Lady of Mount Carmel commented: “What I found most interesting and helpful about the sessions was the opportunity to learn more about the rich history, rituals, and traditions of the Catholic Church.  As a philosophy major in college, I enjoyed thinking about "everyday" things and occurrences in a different, more focused way, and I similarly enjoyed the presentations dealing with a deeper examination of the aspects of our faith.  In particular, I thought that the presentation on October 12 on the moral and theological arguments that are the basis of the Catholic faith was extremely interesting.  I also really enjoyed Mass with Father Mayall; it was like peeking behind the scenes at a magic show.  His willingness to parse the Mass and its physical aspects into meaningful and understandable parts was really an incredible experience, and I have certainly experienced Mass in a different way since that session.”

 Laura Brennan of St. Benedict parish found the process most beneficial. “I firmly believe that the Spirit has been awakened in me!  I am looking at the Catholic faith in an entirely new light.   Every aspect of the process has been extremely positive.  I have learned things about the bible and mass and moral teachings that I never knew, nor even considered. The reading preparations and class sessions in themselves have been very informative and enjoyable!  Coupled with the individual meetings with my parish pastor, the curriculum is ideal.”

 The process involved an initial meeting with a parish minister to determine if they were appropriate for this process and then two subsequent meetings for spiritual direction and to answer any questions that may have been brought to the surface as a result of the sessions.  These meetings could also assist the adult in getting more involved in the parish, although some were already committed and active members of their parishes. “Having each person meet with a parish minister was a really good idea, as it put them in touch with the parish in some capacity and forced them to share what they had been learning and how it has impacted their faith and will continue to do so,” remarked Karyn McGovern, DRE at St. Matthias.

 The catechetical sessions took place at St. Matthias. Presenters included leadership of Vicariate II who generously volunteered their time: Fr. Dan Mayall, Dr. Peg Hanrahan, Fr. Hal Murphy, and Fr. Mike McGovern, as well as Bishop Kane himself.  Other priests assisted both as parish ministers as well as confessors during the evening of reflection with the sacrament of Reconciliation for both Confirmandi and their sponsors.

 Mary Catherine Meek, the Vicariate Catechetical Coordinator (VCC) of Vicariate II, developed the pilot program, working with catechetical leaders, pastors, and Bishop Kane, Vicar of Vicariate II, and listening to concerns, hopes, and realities of adult Catholics seeking Confirmation.  Through several months of meetings, a definition for “catechized” adult emerged, as well as an understanding of Confirmation as one of the “initiation” sacraments.  Both realities had to be honored and incorporated in any process that would be designed.  In addition, Todd Williamson reminded the planning group that if they are truly catechized, we must take our lead from the RCIA and look to the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, that time of immediate preparation before the sacraments of initiation as we shaped and created a plan.  That period is clear that it is to be a time of “spiritual preparation,” not catechesis.  Once again it was evident that any good work could only be accomplished with the cooperation of the two agencies, ODW and OFC, and the practical input from those in the parish.

 The response to this pilot has been overwhelmingly positive.  It is evident from the low absenteeism that the program met the needs of the Confirmandi.  Extended prayer each evening, an explanatory Mass with an adapted Penitential Rite to prepare them for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and a tour of the Church for a better understanding of what they see each week at Mass, all provided a sense of renewal and re-commitment to their already strong Catholic Faith.

 With a good start with this pilot program in Vicariate II, other Vicariates are also beginning to look at their processes in a new way.  In Vicariate V, St. Simon the Apostle and St. Bruno have looked at their Adult Confirmation, making adaptations based on the suggestions from OFC.  Divine Providence in Vicariate IV is also attempting to add more spiritual preparation rather than just academic preparation.  The OFC hopes to continue to meet with Vicariate Teams and individual Parish Leaders to help them discover the best process for their particular needs while keeping within the general parameters that have been set for consistency of preparation.  Juan Carlos Farías of the OFC will pilot a Spanish process in Vicariate II at Our Lady of Mercy this spring.  Elzbieta Chudzik will be developing a program for Polish speaking Catholics in the coming year.