SAMPLE LETTERS / FORMS

(to be sent summer before final year of preparation for the sacrament)

DATE HERE

Dear Candidate and Parent(s):

Greetings from (parish name)! I hope that you and your family are enjoying the summer.

I am writing to invite you to join the Confirmation Preparation Program at (parish name) this year. The Sacrament of Confirmation was instituted by Jesus Christ and given to the Church as a visible sign of God’s love for us. It is also one of the three Sacraments of Initiation, along with Baptism and Eucharist. In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit comes down upon each candidate and gives him or her seven Gifts of the Spirit. These gifts are: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord. Each gift is uniquely fashioned by God to aid us in certain areas of our spiritual lives in order “to make us more docile to the prompting of the Holy Spirit” (CCC #1830). The Catechism also tells us that the Gifts of the Spirit “sustain the moral life of the Christian” (CCC #1830) Therefore, the entire program is centered on the Gifts of the Spirit. The candidates learn what they are and how they can be used in their lives.

The preparation process for Confirmation begins at home. The Church then builds upon that at the parish and school level through catechesis, formational meetings, and retreat experiences. It is through this “community effort” that the candidate becomes truly prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The preparation process begins with the Orientation Meeting (date, time, location). All teens interested in receiving Confirmation this year should attend with at least one of their parents (even if you had a child Confirmed previously you should still attend). Please arrive to (location) no later than (time) in order to check-in. At this first meeting we will (explain the purpose of the meeting here). Any questions you may have will also be answered at this time. Finally, everyone should come with (mention any paperwork, fees, etc. that would be due at this initial meeting, if any).

The Sacrament of Confirmation is an important part of every Catholic’s spiritual development. The goal of this preparation process is to make it as meaningful as possible for each candidate while bringing them into a more intimate relationship with Christ. I invite you to enter into this process with an open mind and a desire to know the Lord in a deeper way. If you do, I guarantee you will experience the Sacrament of Confirmation as a holy and profound sign of God’s unconditional love for you. May the Lord bless you with peace as you and your family consider this important decision.

Please look over all the enclosed information, especially the (highlight something important at this point). If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at my office. I would be happy to discuss our preparation process with you. Also a reminder that all of our Confirmation information, including downloadable forms, can be found at our web site at: (include web site address here) in the Confirmation section. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this decision. I look forward to seeing you in (month of initial meeting)!

Sincerely,

Name of DRE, Confirmation Coordinator, Youth Minister, Pastor, etc.

Copyright © The Catholic Youth Ministry Group 1998-2008 All Rights Reserved. Permission to copy granted with credit to CYMG. May not be included in any collection for sale in print or electronic media. PO Box 229, Elizabethtown, PA 17022

CCC Reference to Catechism of the Catholic Church Second Edition For the United States of America, Copyright © 1994 United States Catholic Conference , Inc.