Confirmation

The community at Saint Matthew is excited about this coming year as we walk with you in your preparation to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The three sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) lay an important and lasting foundation in the Christian life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.” It is our goal to help you foster your faith and to help you learn how you can best serve our parish family this Confirmation year.

The preparation you will participate in this year is built on the pillars of Formation, Service, and Community. These pillars act as a footing that will draw you deeper into the spiritual life.

Formation

Formation

“Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

One experiences formation by growing in the knowledge of God and the faith God has bestowed on us. The cultivating of knowledge in the faith occurs through Religious Education either at Ignite or Saint Matthew School. These classes are at the heart of where you can learn about your faith and deepen your spiritual life.

Service

Service

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35

The service component is engrained in our faith. Service is showcased through your completion of service hours. Each of the service hours is meant to present you with a different way in which you can serve others – at Saint Matthew, in your family, in the community, and within your spiritual life.

Community

Community

“Bear in you one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

The aspect of community is seen by those who will surround you and guide you through your spiritual voyage towards Confirmation. This “community” is made up of your teachers, your sponsor, your family, your pastor, and the faithful at Saint Matthew that serve you in many ways. 

Confirmation is a sacred seal that allows you to perform the important mission to go out into the world to spread and defend Christ’s Church. Your work in preparing for Confirmation will allow for the effects of the Sacrament to yield much fruit.  

Confirmation Requirements

For more information on these requirements for Ignite students, please contact Tony Jesse. For Saint Matthew School students, please contact Amy Anders.

Classes are available through Saint Matthew School or through the Ignite program on Sunday mornings at Saint Matthew Church.

Write a letter introducing yourself to Father Raines and indicate why you would want to be confirmed. This letter is due on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Write a letter to a person you have chosen as your sponsor asking them to be your sponsor. Please also include why you have chosen them to be your sponsor. Please send your letter no later than Sunday, November 19, 2023.

Write a brief biography on your saint and explain why you choose this saint. Explain what attributes this saint displayed that you want to emulate. This paper is due on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

In order to officially produce your child’s confirmation record in our sacramental records, complete the required form linked here: https://stmatthewtn.breezechms.com/form/confirmation2023. Please complete this form by Sunday, January 21, 2024.

The Confirmation Retreat will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Camp Marymount.

In the letter, tell the Bishop a little bit about yourself. Explain your desire to be confirmed and ask him if he would confirm you. This letter is due Sunday, February 4, 2024.

Write a one-page paper explaining the two service events you performed and what was it about these two projects that allowed you to experience what service is about. This paper is due Sunday, February 18, 2024.

24 Service Hours Total

  • Parish Service – 6 hours
  • Community Service – 6 hours
  • Family Service – 6 hours
  • Spiritual Service – 6 hours

DUE DATE: Sunday, February 25, 2024

Visit this link to report all service hours: https://stmatthewtn.breezechms.com/form/servicehours22

Service Hours Information

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, one of the effects of the sacrament of Confirmation is to “give us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.”

In order to prepare yourself to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, it is important that you spend time going out into the world and being Christ to others. There are many ways you can do that, and to help you start, below are four categories that will introduce you to new and to familiar ways to serve others. Hopefully, the suggestions listed below will help you see the needs of those around you. Please pay careful attention to how you obtain the 24 required hours of service. You will record these hours on the service hour portal (linked below) after each event.

The categories are as follows:

Chores that are above and beyond those already expected of you and that are something you wouldn’t normally choose to do are the best example. You should seek the advice of a parent, grandparent or teacher if you need suggestions (6 hours total).

These hours should be obtained through assisting at events at the parish. There are many opportunities, and we are happy to help you determine which would be the most fitting for you. A few examples are volunteering to assist the Religious Education office, or volunteering to help with the Blood Drive (6 hours total).

Most events that benefit others and are held in your local community are the best way to fulfill your service hours. These might include volunteering at a food pantry, an animal shelter, writing a senior at a nursing home, collecting items for Good Will, etc. Hands On Nashville has compiled a list of local nonprofits and charitable organizations seeking volunteers. Click here to view that list. Parents, please use your due diligence in selecting an appropriate organization. (6 hours total).

Though this category may seem vague, it is by far one of the most beneficial. Participation at any special Mass or service would most likely qualify, such as the Holy Week services, going to Confession, and attending the Stations of the Cross, serving at Mass. You could say a Rosary with a family member, spend time reading Scripture, watch a program on FORMED, or attend an additional retreat. (6 hours total). 

Another item to remember when working to fulfill your 24 hours is that you can only count four hours per event. Each event must be a minimum of one hour, and you will need a supervising adult to sign the service log. Click the button below to complete the Online Service Hours Form.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Sponsor is a practicing Catholic in Good Standing with the Church
  2. Sponsor is a Confirmed Catholic over the age of 15
  3. Sponsor can not be the parents of the candidate
  4. Sponsor needs to be present at the Confirmation Mass

  1. Discuss Confirmation with the candidate. Explain what Confirmation is and why it is important.
  2. Help select a Confirmation name. Explain that he/she should pick the name of a saint who he/she relates to and has influenced his/her life.
  3. For parents, they can help their child choose a sponsor. The sponsor needs to be a confirmed, practicing Catholic, who is at least 16 years old. We encourage the use of the child’s godparent.
  4. Please pray for the child along this journey. This is an important decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
  5. Encourage the child to actively engage in the Confirmation activities and requirements. 

Please notify Tony Jesse, DRE, and he will appoint a stand-in sponsor for the candidate.

The bishop is the one who sets the rules for appropriate dress. Because of the special nature of the occasion, and the spirituality of the place, the dress for the Sacrament of Confirmation should reflect the importance of the moment.

  • For girls: Dresses that cover the shoulders and come down to a respectable length near the knee in white or pastel colors. Modest, simple clothing with no large jewelry. We interpret this to mean chests and shoulders should be covered.
  • For boys: Collared long-sleeved shirts, (white or pastel in color) with appropriate tie (any color) and khaki or dress slacks with dress shoes; no tennis/jogging shoes. We ask that the boys wear dark-colored jackets.

Sponsors should abide by this same dress code.

Renewal of Baptismal Promises
After the homily, the candidates stand and the bishop questions them:

Bishop: Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises?
Candidates: I do.
Bishop: Do you believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Candidates: I do.
Bishop: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Candidates: I do.
Bishop: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who came upon the apostles at Pentecost and today is given to you sacramentally in confirmation?
Candidates: I do.
Bishop: Do you believe in the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Candidates: I do.
Bishop: This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All present: Amen.

The Anointing of Chrism
For the anointing, each candidate lines up to goes to the bishop. When approaching the bishop, the sponsor places his right hand on the candidate’s shoulder and gives the candidate’s name to the bishop (the bishop may read the candidate’s name from the name badge on the candidate instead).

Bishop: Dips his right thumb in the Chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, as he says: “(Name), be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Newly confirmed: “Amen.”
Bishop: “Peace be with you.”
Newly confirmed: “And with your spirit.”

Confirmation is Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center.

The Confirmation Retreat is on January 27, 2024, at Camp Marymount. More information will be made available closer to the retreat.

Contact Information

Tony Jesse
Director of Religious Education
(615) 550-5100
tjesse@stmatthewtn.org