Confirmation Mass 

Date/Time
Wednesday, April 18th, 7pm
 

Rehearsal/Sponsor & Confirmand Arrival Time

Confirmands/Sponsors arrive1.5 hours before Mass begins - this will be our rehearsal time, do not be late. 

Location   
Saint Bridget - 6006 Three Chopt Rd., Richmond, VA 23226

Presider
Bishop Knestout

Details

• Candidates & Sponsors are asked to arrive 1.5 hours before the start of Mass on the day of your Confirmation
  • We will rehearse at that time - there will be no other rehearsal.
• Confirmation Mass should conclude in about an hour.
• There will be a group photo after each Mass
• We do not plan on having a reception after the Masses
• Mystagogy will be the final meeting and happens after Confirmations are complete.
  • This is the last large group lesson, teens receive Confirmation Certificate and a gift from Saint Bridget

Seating
Only Confirmation Candidates and Sponsors will have reserved Seating.
There is no reserved seating for families - feel free to come early to grab seats! 
FYI: About nine people fit in a row of pews and the Church Holds approximately 500 people. 

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Day-Of Rehearsal 

Sponsors and Confirmands should arrive for rehearsal at 5:30pm on the day of each Confirmation.
Families are not needed for this rehearsal.
There is no other rehearsal. 

Dress Code: Classy

Gentlemen 

• Coat  
• Tie 

Ladies

• Shoulders covered
• Skirt/dress hems at the knee or longer
• Lowcut necklines are inappropriate for this Mass. 

NOTE: The presider may need to sit during the anointing in which case Confirmands will have to kneel and bend forward to receive the sacrament. In this instance, short dresses and low cut tops are inappropriate. We will not know if this will be the posture until the day of the sacrament so please dress appropriately. 

All: Dress should be dignified and in keeping with the dignity of a liturgical celebration. 
It is essential that the presider be able to anoint the candidate on the forehead so please move hair to the side.
There are no color requirements for garments.
Candidates do not wear stoles. 

What To Do Or Say During Confirmation Mass

Few things are more awkward than a group of people completing their baptism and receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit but sitting emotionless throughout Mass. Enjoy it: sing, pray, celebrate. The Mass is very similar to most Masses, however, there are three unique parts. 

Candidates and Sponsors will sit in pews together side by side – no assigned seating.
Families will have open seating behind all confirmands and sponsors.

Renewal of Baptismal Promises: 
Because Confirmation is the completion of our Baptism, it is fitting to renew our Baptismal promises made when you were a baby (typically) and periodically renewed throughout our lives. The Presider will ask the following questions of the Confirmands. Confirmands should respond loudly and clearly. 

V. Do you reject Satan? 
R. I do. 
V. And all his works? 
R. I do. 
V. And all his empty promises? 
R. I do. 
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? 
R. I do. 
V. 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? 
R. I do. 
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? 
R. I do. 
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever. 
R. Amen. 

Presentation of Candidates
Candidate names will be read aloud (by the formation director). Candidates will stand up to be recognized and will be prayed over as the Presider and concelebrants extend their hands over the whole group.

Anointing with Chrism
To receive the sacrament, the pew of candidates sponsors will rise and move to the aisle as though going to receive Communion.
Sponsors will place their right hand on the right shoulder of the confirmand.
Upon approaching the Presider be sure to stand close and perhaps remove glasses and move bangs to avoid getting oil on them.
If the oil runs, it is easiest to wipe the oil with the hands and then rub the excess into the hands.

Standing (or kneeling) before the Bishop (or Monsignor), the sponsor, confirmand, and celebrant will clearly and loudly have the following exchange (“N” means “name” of confirmand):

Sponsor:              Bishop, may I present “N.”
Bishop:          N., Receive the seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
(With Chrism oil on his finger, the Bishop/Monsignor anoints the forehead of the confirmand).
Candidate:            Amen.
Bishop:          Peace be with you.
Candidate:           And with your Spirit.

Shake hands with the presider. Return to your pews.

 

Photos

Photography/Videography is not allowed during the Confirmation Mass.
You may take photos before and after Mass.
The presider will be available for photos immediately after Mass and a large group photo will be taken.

Reservation of Seats

Since we have so many Confirmands we aren't able to reserve or pre assign pews, however:

• The confirmands choose whichever side of the church on which they'd like to sit. 
• The first six pews on either side of the church will be reserved for Confirmands and their sponsors (no families). 
• One row of pews seats nine adults comfortably
• Your best bet is to arrive early to get everyone together.