Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is a rite of passage in a young Catholic's life that usually happens around 8th or 9th grade. One of the three Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church (along with Baptism and Holy Communion), Confirmation is the fulfillment of what was begun at baptism. At this major event a young adult is sealed by the Holy Spirit, receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and becomes a soldier for Christ.
Over the years, I have helped to teach Confirmation classes, both at the parish we are in now and at a previous parish, and I have discovered that helping to instill the knowledge of the Church and a love for God brings renewed appreciation of my own faith. There is always something new to learn! Parents have a lot to think about and prepare for when celebrating this sacred occasion in their child's life. Some parents choose to host a party for Confirmation, while others go out to eat afterwards with family and friends. Some may decide to celebrate with a meal at home with the child's sponsor or with friends and loved ones.
There is no right or wrong way to celebrate after a child has received their Confirmation. Our own parish celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation a few weeks ago and I asked a few of my fellow teachers and some of the parents of the kids in our class how they celebrated the sacrament. The responses varied from a small get together at home to going out for the child's favorite barbeque afterwards.
While there is no hard and fast way to celebrate, there are some important things to remember as you plan for your child's Confirmation. Keeping the emphasis on the on the sacrament helps to keep the gifts in line with the religious significance of the event. The following are some examples of popular Confirmation gifts: a personalized Bible, a rosary, religious jewelry, books about the student's patron saint, a sacramental, religious art or statues, etc. Sometimes there are family members or friends in attendance who may not have attended a Confirmation celebration before, and they may be unsure of what kind of gift is appropriate. You might want to refer them to our Confirmation Gifts if they ask you for a suggestion.
For those who do choose to have a party or for those who wish to have a special dessert, there are many grocery stores and bakeries who will decorate a cake with a cross or a dove or some other religious item. If you wish to design your own, there are some amazing cakes to view on Pinterest.
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL
The Holy Spirit should be the main focus, and the solemnity of the event preserved throughout the day. Make sure your child is spiritually prepared beforehand and understands that this is a new and special moment in their relationship with Him. Then enjoy the day!
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