Confirmation – Session 1

Session 1

Your baptismal promises are fulfilled

Note: you will need to set aside 35–40 minutes for this time together.

Prepare

You will need:

  • a small table with a nice cloth covering it—this will be your ‘prayer table’
  • a candle—preferably your child’s baptismal candle
  • a Bible and/or crucifix
  • mementoes of your child’s baptism—photographs, baptismal gown (if you have it), baptismal certificate, photographs of your child’s godparents, or other items
  • a journal—something to write in and keep as a memento of this time together
  • a pen or pencil.

Begin

  • We gather our mementoes of baptism on the prayer table and take a few moments to look at them.
  • We light the candle, and in doing so, we remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
  • We take a moment to be still.
  • We take three deep, quiet breaths.
  • With each quiet breath, you might like to pray in your heart, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’

Share

Parents: talk with your child about their baptism. Allow a conversation to develop around your memories of your child’s baptism and your reasons for having them baptised.

  • Share with your child your memories of your child’s baptism: Who was present? Who was the priest? What type of celebration did you have afterwards?
  • Talk about the various mementoes you have gathered for the prayer table and share their meaning.
  • Share with your child your reasons for choosing their godparents for this special role.
  • Tell your child why you decided to have him or her baptised.

Listen to God’s word

Jesus’ baptism by John

It was in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. And at once, as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; in you I am well pleased.’

Reflect

This story of Jesus’ baptism by his cousin, John the Baptist, tells us that Jesus would soon begin his public ministry. It was a key moment at the start of his ministry that revealed to those present that he was (and is) the Son of God.

Jesus is baptised in order to say ‘yes’ to the will of God in his life. Although he did not need to be baptised in the same way we do (for the forgiveness of sins), he does so to show us the way. Many things that Jesus did in his life show us the path that we are called to follow.

God the Father responds by saying, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; in you I am well pleased.’ These words apply to us, too, as baptised children of God. We are treasured sons and daughters, in whom the Father delights.

Explore

Together, take a few minutes to think about and discuss the following ideas. Ask your child to record any responses in his or her journal.

I wonder

I wonder how Jesus felt when he heard God’s voice revealing to all that he is God’s beloved Son.

I wonder

I wonder how you feel when God speaks those same words to you—‘You are my beloved son/daughter.’

Together, consider these statements about what it might mean to be a baptised Christian:

  • ‘Jesus is saying “yes” to what the Father wants him to do with his life. And the Father is pleased. I think there are ways that I could say “yes” to what God is asking of me.’
  • ‘There is no doubt that when I consider God calling me his beloved child, I feel secure and deeply loved.’

Learn

By being baptised, we become sons and daughters of God. Our special relationship with God calls us to live the Gospel values of love, forgiveness, compassion, hope and joy. We live these values out through our choices and interactions with others.

In this sense, we are fulfilling Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, when he said, ‘I give you a new commandment: that you love one another … just as I have loved you’ (John 13:34).

When we receive the sacrament of Confirmation, these baptismal promises are made complete in us. In Baptism, we are welcomed into the Church as a member of God’s faithful people. When we receive the sacrament of Confirmation, we are ‘confirmed’ as a member of the Church—we are fully initiated in the Church.

The Church’s Catechism says to us: ‘by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptised are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit’ (CCC, § 1285).

Chat with your child about the idea that at their baptism, you and the child’s godparents made promises on their behalf. Share with your child how, once confirmed, he or she is called to continue to fulfil these promises.

When Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles. On one occasion, he appeared to the apostles and said to them:

‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe everything I have commanded you. And look, I am with you always till the end of time.’

(Matthew 28:19–20)

We take these words to heart today and encourage our children to follow Jesus’ commandment of love.

Together with your child, discuss how she or he already demonstrates the love Jesus commands of us and what else she or he may do to be an even better follower of Jesus. You may wish to record some of these ideas in your journal.

Connect

Drag the ‘slider’ tool to compare the images on the following screens, explore with your child the words, symbols and actions related to the sacrament of Baptism and how they are echoed in the sacrament of Confirmation. Try to identify what the symbols represent and what the implications of the words may be.

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Apply

Together, share your responses to the following prompts:

I wonder

I wonder why we follow Jesus.

I wonder

I wonder how we can follow Jesus’ example in our lives.

I wonder

I wonder which story from the gospels about Jesus’ life and ministry resonates with each of us. For example, the stories of forgiveness in the story of the Lost or Prodigal Son, or compassionate love shown in the story of the Good Samaritan?

Pray