VERY IMPORTANT: ALL CANDIDATES MUST PROCURE A COPY OF THEIR CATHOLIC BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE AND PROVIDE THE COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF THE CHURCH OF BAPTISM. The reason is that Fr. Ron must send a letter to each church in order that the corresponding baptismal registry is updated. No candidate will be allowed to be confirmed without this certificate. Please include postal codes.

Candidates For Confirmation: Secondary school Confirmation candidates must have participated in and completed a three year Confirmation process. If a candidate comes from another parish and has done some catechesis previously, we request they bring a letter from the previous parish.

1. Parish participation:The catechetical and pastoral preparation should in some way include the entire parish community and not merely the candidates for Confirmation (Rite of Confirmation #3). The parish community needs to be made aware that some of its members are preparing to celebrate Confirmation. This may be accomplished through:
   • announcements imparting information through the bulletin, emails, and letters from the pastor, etc.;
   • preaching on Sundays during the Easter season and throughout the year;
   • parish prayer including Intercessions for the candidates in the Prayer of the Faithful on Sundays prior to and following the Confirmation celebration;
   • a ceremony presenting the Candidates to the Parish Community; In this ceremony the candidates will be presented with crosses or symbols of the Holy Spirit which the parish will provide.
   • testimonies of commitment in which each candidate writes something for the parish newsletter, this may begin in September. It is a chance for the candidate to articulate his/her faith by simply explaining why they wish to be confirmed.
2. Sponsors: "Pastors will see that the sponsor is spiritually qualified for the office" (RC, #6). The sponsor for any candidate may be male or female, is to be sufficiently mature, (at least 16 years of age), a fully initiated Catholic and living a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken, and is not prohibited by Canon Law from exercising the role of sponsor. A parent may not act as a sponsor for his or her child (Canon 874). Why? The parent should already be intimately involved in the child’s faith formation. A Baptismal sponsor is not only allowed, but is in fact desired as the Confirmation sponsor, in order to emphasize the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation (Canon 893.2).

   Individuals selected as sponsors must be Catholics who are able to receive the Sacraments of the Church. Sponsors are expected to receive Holy Communion at the Mass of Confirmation.

3. Names: The use of the baptismal name on the occasion of Confirmation better expresses the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation. This is the preferred option at Our Lady of Mercy. If a special Confirmation name is taken, it must be the name of a recognized saint (such as St. John, St. Martha, St. Teresa, etc. A candidate must be able to articulate their reasoning for taking on name different from their baptismal name.
4. Attire for Candidates: Candidates should dress appropriately be fitting the solemnity of the Confirmation liturgy.
5. Photography and Flowers: The taking of photographs or videotaping during the Confirmation Liturgy is permitted but only with an authorized photographer. In the past, José Manuel Gimenez, Julie Hoare’s husband hs ageed to take digital photographs free of charge. He then gives a master copy to Fr. Ron who, in turn, burns a CD for each family. Fr. Ron will arrange to video tape the ceremony from the back if you ask him previously.

   If the Confirmation is scheduled on the day after a wedding or First Communion at Santa María Magdalena, it may not be necessary to purchase flowers. The parents should consult with Fr. Ron one month before the ceremony in order to ascertain whether or not purchasing flowers will be necessary. If it is necessary to purchase flowers, please use George’s Flower Shop on calle Bolivia, 40 –(close to Principe de Vergara and Alfonso XIII) as they give our church a very nice price. tel 91-350-0066. Only two centerpieces are needed and maybe a smaller arrangement for the altar. The parents collect money to purchase the flowers. Under no conditions should the flower expense be more than 200 Euros.

6. Bishop. We strive to find an English-speaking Bishop to celebrate the Sacrament, however, many times we will have a bilingual celebration and encourage as much as possible the active participation in Spanish of our English-speaking parishioners.
7. Rehearsal: A rehearsal for all liturgical ministers, the Confirmation candidates and their sponsors which helps ensure familiarity with the movement and rite of Confirmation will be scheduled. The rehearsal must include at the least the following:
   • Walking through the entire Confirmation Rite:
   • Speaking the responses to the renewal of baptismal promises and Confirmation name loudly and clearly;
   • Responding the “Amen” and “And also with you” in the Rite;
8. Worship/Participation Aids: The parish takes this expense and effort upon itself.  The worship aid should include all the music sung by the assembly and the names of the candidates and their sponsors.
9. Music: Confirmation is a celebration of faith within the midst of the community of the Church. Music at OLM is selected by the music director.

   The priority in selecting music is that it should be music known to the confirmation candidates, and music which they themselves will sing with spirit and fervor during the Liturgy.

   The music selected should be artistically good, liturgically appropriate and pastorally suitable. Songs that speak of our Baptismal dignity, the Paschal Mystery, our call to Christian witness, and empowerment in the Holy Spirit are appropriate. It should be kept in mind that Confirmation "seals" the baptismal experience and hence should be seen intimately linked to an overall theology of initiation in which the Spirit is at work both in Baptism and Confirmation.

RECEPTION. This is also an optional activity but a time honored one at OLM. In the past the parents have provided some light snacks and drinks in which we can share in the parish patio. Fr. Ron purchases additional wine, beer, and snacks. On the day of Confirmation, we still sell donuts (as there is usually CCD) but we provide the drinks free of charge. In recent years, this expense has gone over 100 Euros. Therefore some parents also donate some soda, beer, wine, and juice and leave it with Fr. Ron or his assistant the previous Sunday. Coffee will also be served free of charge.

DONATION. A donation is precisely that, a free gift given to the parish in order to show appreciation for all the church has done in the faith formation of your child. In the past, parents have either agreed upon a minimum amount or have decided to prepare individual envelopes with donations that are a dignified percentage of what the parents spend on the entire celebration. No one need worry about not having enough money for a donation. This is voluntary and should reflect your means and your heart. This donation should be discreetly presented to Fr. Ron before the ceremony, normally during the rehearsal. There is no need to call attention to it. Some of the expenses of the church are the crosses or holy spirit pins, the retreat expenses, the cleaning expenses of the patio after reception, the worship aid printing, the bishop’s donation, the bishop’s lunch (the priest must invite him as a custom), extra drinks and snacks are purchased, the use of church, electricity for rehearsal, some gifts for extra helpers on retreat day and Confirmation day, cds to burn with the photos, etc.