Q: Can a confirmation student choose a saint name that is not a saint yet but is blessed? == A: I’m going to say yes. There is no universal legislation on confirmation names. It’s all a matter of custom. I see no problem with it. The baptismal name may be used for confirmation, even if […]

Q: We have two baptized, uncatechized Catholics ready for confirmation and communion at the Easter Vigil this year, but no catechumens. Would you have the presentation of these candidates by name made before the Homily? == A: Yes, I’d follow the Order of Confirmation. I presume your priest knows that he needs the bishop’s permission […]

Q: I have a question about initiation. I have 3 children above the age of reason, who were baptized as infants but remained uncatechized until this year. In addition to celebrating the sacraments of penance and first holy communion, do I confirm them?  I think not, but the catechist thinks I do confirm. == A: […]

Q: Thank you for your patience, time and insight answering our never ending liturgical questions! If we celebrate Confirmation on a Sunday at a regularly scheduled Mass during Ordinary Time (and Advent, Lent or Easter for that matter), should we use the readings of that given Sunday, or are we allowed to use the Confirmation […]

Q: Last evening we had a tragedy at the confirmation mass. The father of one of the candidates died suddenly at the age of 41 shortly before the ceremony. The candidate does not want to go to another parish to be confirmed. May the pastor confirm her in a separate ceremony?  == A: I’m very […]

Q:  Does a priest only ask for permission from the Bishop to confirm already baptized Catholics at the Easter Vigil; or does he also need permission for any  baptized Christians fully professing the faith and being confirmed at the Vigil. He does not need permission to confirm the catechumens, right? == A:  He only needs […]

Q:  We have a young woman in our confirmation group who has never received her first communion. What are the options for her? Confirmation is coming up this week. Should we have her wait until Easter? == A:  I suggest you offer her first communion informally during the confirmation mass. You could wait, especially if […]

Q:  Could you explain conditional Confirmation?   If the Celebration of Confirmation for an individual was not recorded and there is no documentation or witness that remembers it, what do you do?  Many thanks! == A:  The Catholic Church has no instructions concerning conditional confirmation. If I had an individual with no documentation or witnesses, I’d […]

Q:  Hello!  I continue to follow and learn from your blog and the variety of questions and responses!  THANKS!! I was interested to read your response to the questions about Confirmation and Eucharist for uncatechized Catholics. Our diocese, and others that I know of, “reserve” Easter Vigil for Elect being fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation and […]

Q:  There seems to be an inconsistency between the RCIA (409) and the National Statutes (26) regarding the time of celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist for baptized Catholics. 409 says they “normally” will receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.  NS 26 implies that it is “not recommended” that they complete their initiation on the […]