OLI Parish

The statue of The Blessed Virgin Mary above the altar

"Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 357

Confirmation

This preparation is parish based and meetings are held weekly over a period of about four months. Candidates must be at least twelve years of age and have made their own decision to be confirmed.

Meetings take place on Tuesday evenings from 7.00 to 7.45pm during January to May, with Confirmation taking place as close to The Feast of Penetecost as possible.

Below are a number of frequently asked questions :

Who can be my sponsor?

Anyone who is :

a practising Roman Catholic
over 16 years of age
not your own mother or father

Your sponsor is someone who stands beside you at your Confirmation to present you to the Bishop. They undertake to take an interest in your journey of faith.

What about the Confirmation name?

You do not actually have to have a new "Confirmation name" but most people do. The idea is that you choose the name of a saint who will be your special patron. You must therefore know something about the saint and why you are inspired by him or her. We will help you in this during the course of the preparation programme.

What do I have to wear for my Confirmation?

You are not required to wear any specific uniform for Confirmation. You should dress smartly as for a special occasion. Although it would be quite in order to have some new clothes for the occasion, the most important thing is how you are prepared inside. What matters is not your external appearance but the state of your soul.

How long are the lessons?

We will meet for one hour for each of the several classes. In addition, we have a retreat weekend away in Whitstable. These are to prepare you for receiving the Sacrament. Most people find the lessons quite enjoyable and by the time Confirmation comes around, people have made friends and feel much more a part of the Church. You only receive the Sacrament of Confirmation once in your life and it is important to prepare properly.

Do I have to go to Confession?

Yes. You should go to Confession regularly anyway. If it has been a long time since you went, we will help you to prepare and you are sure to find it a very rewarding experience.

What if I cannot go to the lessons?

If there is a very serious reason or if you are genuinely ill, your parents can contact the Parish Priest. They will be asked not to arrange outings that clash with your lessons for Confirmation and you must do your bit to keep those times free. If anyone were to miss the lessons without good reason, they would not be properly prepared to receive the sacrament.

What if I cannot find my Baptism Certificate?

Don't worry. If you were baptised at Our Lady Immaculate all we need to know is the approximate date. If you were baptised elsewhere you can contact the Church where you were baptised and they will issue you with a new one.

Do you need to be confirmed to get married?

A Catholic should try to receive the sacrament of Confirmation before celebrating the sacrament of Matrimony. But your first reason for being confirmed should be so that you can receive the Holy Spirit to help you to take a fuller part in the life of the Church.