Q: First Communion has become a ‘family event’ where children sit with their families, rather than with a ‘class.’ Is there any talk of doing the same thing with confirmation?
We had confirmation kids sit with their families during Covid, rather than piling into a single pew with other teens and it seemed so Catholic. In the 21st century, what other sacrament separates children from their parents at the time of reception? (Older people told me that pre-Vatican 2 babies were often separated from parents at baptism. The godparents held the child and answered all the questions. The parents were basically bystanders.)
Also during Covid, instead of the teens walking up to the front to be confirmed, the bishop walked down the aisles, confirming each teen. Wow! Everyone found that very powerful, but I haven’t heard or seen it done anywhere since. Have you?
Thanks for your marvelous blog!
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A: I’m not aware of any talk on rearranging the seating for confirmation candidates, but there is some flexibility in the ritual.
As the names are called, the candidates may approach the sanctuary or “assigned to a suitable place before the bishop” (21). At the moment of anointing, each candidate “goes to the Bishop; or, if appropriate, the Bishop goes to each of those to be confirmed” (26).
In general, sacraments are administered in the sanctuary. When this takes place at the cathedral, the bishop’s chair located there is an important symbol of his ministry for any celebration.