“Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the ‘sacraments of Christian initiation…’ [T]he reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace…[B]y the sacrament of Confirmation [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.  Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285)

Since 2004, it has been the policy of the Archdiocese of New Orleans to confer the sacrament of Confirmation on students in the 11^th grade, after at least two years (30 hours) of preparation (http://www.archdiocese-no.org/scbparish/ORE%20Guidelines.pdf).   Criteria for receiving the sacrament are that the candidates (1) must be baptized; (2) must not have not been previously confirmed; and (3) must be “suitably instructed, properly disposed, and able to renew one’s baptismal promises” (Canon 889)

It is the responsibility of individual church parishes to provide that preparation through proper catechesis of those seeking Confirmation. St. Peter Parish’s Confirmation program is composed of three different preparatory classes referred to as Prep I, Prep II, and Prep III.  Students not attending Catholic high schools are required to complete Prep I and Prep II; whereas ALL high school students, whether attending Catholic schools or not, must complete Prep III in order to be confirmed.

If you are an adult in need of the Sacrament of Confirmation, please click here for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).