In photo above, Elvia Jimenez, director of religious education at St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in North Highlands, with confirmation candidates Yahaira Moreno and Jorge Campos.
Every year, several thousand teens throughout the Diocese of Sacramento prepare faithfully to receive the sacrament of confirmation. Formation begins much earlier, of course, when parents or guardians choose baptism for their children and guide them through formal instruction and sacramental preparation for first Eucharist and first reconciliation.
When these same children enter seventh, eighth or ninth grade, they choose for themselves to complete their full initiation into the Catholic Church and faith family – to be sealed with the Holy Spirit, live in holiness and defend the faith.
Diocesan guidelines require a parish-based preparation program for two consecutive years before the reception of the sacrament of confirmation. Trained catechists guide these young Catholics through instruction, retreats and traditions, including the selection of a patron saint, whose name and life story they adopt with devotion, and the selection of a sponsor.
Confirmandi and catechists from three parishes tell Catholic Herald magazine how they are getting ready to embrace the baptismal graces fully realized in confirmation.
Holy Rosary Parish, Woodland
Catechists Peter and Concha Leon’s high school confirmation class meets on Sunday. Students attend Mass together, sit in front pews and participate, enjoying Father Jonathan Molina’s periodic attention during Mass.
“I get a feeling that our students want to be here,” says Peter, sharing his students’ near perfect attendance and the retention of all 19 from the preceding year of preparation. He says they enjoy it and work thoughtfully through their text learning about the rite, sacramental living and discipleship, but also studying saints’ lives.
“It’s the first thing we did on the first day of class,” Peter says of introducing candidates to saints’ stories. By the following class, each student had selected their spiritual role model and patron saint for an array of poignant and meaningful reasons. Each student writes an extensive report on their chosen saints, engaging in a serious, months-long assignment that keeps the saints and their lives “top of mind,” Peter explains. When the day arrives for confirmation, candidates embrace their saint’s name, regarding it a source of personal inspiration.
Peter also teaches about the important work of selecting a sponsor who can journey with the candidate, as “a practicing Catholic, living the sacraments.”
“My saint is St. Augustine of Hippo, the patron saint of brewers,” says Jayline Naranjo, 15, explaining “people my age can relate.”
“I was drawn to his story,” because he was “not the holiest person and he partied a lot.” She recounts detail from an article she read. “But as he got older, he studied more, contributed a lot and converted,” she continues, moved by Augustine’s “second chance” and how the saint’s life “shows how Jesus forgives our sins.”
“I chose St. Nicholas,” shares Chris Bravo, 16, citing the traits that embody this revered saint. “He spreads a good message of hope,” he submits, pointing out his “giving” and generous nature.
“I chose a close family friend for my sponsor,” Jayline says, sharing “we attend church together and she means a lot to me.” Jayline also appreciates how her sponsor is close to her own age, adding “it’s helpful on this journey.”
Chris asked his aunt to serve as his sponsor “because she represents what it means to be a good Catholic and she always makes time to come to church and spread the word of the Lord,” he says.
“I enjoy learning and being a part of my church and community,” Jayline concludes, giving thought to the broader family in which she claims membership. Chris echoes the sentiment, stating how “it’s wonderful to be a part of this community and have great teachers bringing me up.” He’s unassumingly proud of having “worked hard,” but also lighthearted as he calculates a life of future Sunday Mass opportunities. “I am glad I can spend 3,600 Sundays at Mass,” Chris banters, imagining a lifespan of 85 years. Peter laughs and adds, “Compared to my 1,700 Sundays!”
Our Divine Savior Parish, Chico
Andres Coronel, an eighth grader in his second year of confirmation preparation at Our Divine Savior Catholic Parish in Chico, has chosen both his confirmation saint and his sponsor – a decision that he came to after reflecting on the example of his family members.
Andres chose his grandmother, Maria, as his sponsor. “She’s just a great inspiration to me. Always encouraging me to pray, to have faith and to go to Mass,” he says. His confirmation saint is St. Benedict, who has played a role in his entire life. At a young age his parents taught him to carry the St. Benedict medal, “so I carry it around with me wherever I go.”
He’s been wearing the medal as long as he can remember. It is pinned on the inside collar of his shirt and he moves it from shirt to shirt on a daily basis. It is a constant reminder to ask for the intercession of his soon-to-be confirmation saint. The tradition began with his mother’s grandfather, who gifted a St. Benedict medal to her at a young age.
The relationships between confirmation students and their saints and sponsors is meant to continue past the confirmation Mass. There are activities in the program at Our Divine Savior to help develop this understanding for the students.
Jennifer Forward, director of religious education, says candidates participate in an activity called sponsor conversations, which is a “guided conversation to help them develop their relationship with their sponsor.” Over the confirmation preparation, the hope is that the students get connected to a youth group to continue in their formation and fellowship as believers. There are also saint reflections that the students prepare to learn more about their chosen saint.
Candidate Lily Moore decided to choose St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint. Her example exemplifies purity and a willingness to believe, even when she was the first of her culture to accept the teachings of Christianity.
For her sponsor, Lily chose a close friend’s mother. “She’s been a great friend for a long time,” she says. “I really trust her, if I ever have any troubles she’s someone I can talk to.” It’s a relationship that is meaningful to Lily and one she hopes to develop for years to come. She spends time with her on a weekly basis to get to know one another better.
St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish, North Highlands
As religious education coordinator, Elvia Jimenez’s landscape view of all confirmation classes stirs her heart. She sees students’ progress throughout the two-year program and their genuine commitment. Classes take place on Tuesday evenings.
“We adopted the saint report project,” Elvia explains, noting how catechists invite students to research at least five saints’ lives and “fall in love” with the story of their chosen saint. She also adds that students may choose their given baptismal name or choose a new patron saint.
Students must put the same energy into choosing their sponsor. “We want sponsors to fully engage” with the candidate so “they can encourage and guide candidates,” Elvia stresses. A new email program has been implemented this year to help facilitate better relationships and prompt regular communication between candidates and their sponsors.
“I chose Juan Pablo II for my saint name,” shares Yahaira Moreno, 13, reaching back in her earliest memories for the story behind her chosen saint. Her mother was pregnant with her little brother and received distressing news about the baby’s health. She sought the comfort of the church and her faith, praying to Saint John Paul II. When the baby arrived, she named him Juan Pablo. Today, Yahaira’s brother is 10. Choosing Saint John Paul II’s name for confirmation made perfect sense.
“My saint name is Saint Jude,” announces Jorge Campos, 15. He’s pleased to explain how the patron of desperate causes is the namesake for the renowned pediatric hospital which excels in treating and curing cancer.
“My sponsor is my uncle,” Yahaira adds, confident that her mom’s brother was the best choice. “I have a really strong bond with him and he takes me to church.”
Jorge chimes in, eager to say “My sponsor is my cousin.” He tells how she is one of his closest friends. “She was like a mom to me when my mom had to work,” he confides.
Both Yahaira and Jorge cannot contain their happiness with their choices and the imminent reality of confirmation. “It’s been a long time preparing and I am happy about this,” Jorge testifies, donning a red robe and spirited strength. Yahaira also expresses serene happiness saying, “I am very honored and humbled that I will be confirmed in our church.”
LEARN MORE
About the sacrament of confirmation in the diocese at www.scd.org/youth-and-young-adult-ministry/confirmation.
About the diocese’s “Fired Up” yearly confirmation conferences at www.confirmationconference.com.