All stand for the Opening Song (click).
INTRODUCTORY RITE
Sign of the Cross and Greeting.
Penitential Rite will have a form of a reflection led by the celebrant.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Proclaimed by a sponsor
A reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians
The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self-control.
Those who belong to Jesus Christ fight their selfish desires.
The Spirit has given us life. He must control our lives. We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.
The minister of the Word: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
The Congregation stands up to greet the Gospel.
Click for Gospel acclamation
Gospel
Priest: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
That same day two of His followers were going to the town of Emmaus. It was about a two-hour walk from Jerusalem. They talked of all these things that had happened. While they were talking together, Jesus Himself came and walked along with them. Something kept their eyes from seeing Who He was.
He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk?” They stood still and looked sad. One of them, whose name was Cleopas, said to Him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who has not heard of the things that have happened here these days?” Jesus said to them, “What things?” They answered, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. He was the great One Who spoke for God. He did powerful works and spoke powerful words in the sight of God and the people. And the religious leaders and the leaders of the people gave Him over to be killed and nailed Him to a cross. We were hoping He was the One Who was going to make the Jewish people free. But it was three days ago when these things happened.
“Some of the women of our group have surprised us and made us wonder. They went to the grave early this morning. They did not find His body. They came back saying they had seen angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the grave and found it as the women had said. But they did not see Him.”
When they came to the town where they were going, Jesus acted as if He were going farther. But they said to Him, “Stay with us. It will soon be evening. The day is about over.” He went in to stay with them. As He sat at the table with them, He took the bread and gave thanks and broke it. Then He gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Then He left them and could not be seen. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts filled with joy when He talked to us on the road about what the Holy Writings said?”
Priest: The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Presentation of candidates
Depending on the ceremony it is done by a teacher/parent/ coordinator.
The teacher calls out names and candidates are invited to stand as their name is called out.
Celebrant: Are you prepared to be Confirmed?
Candidate: I am.
Celebrant: Do you understand that this means you need to keep space for God in your life?
Candidate: I do.
Celebrant: Do you intend to continue to find out what is expected of you as a young Christian adult?
Candidate: I do.
Celebrant: Do you see the link between being confirmed and bringing the love of Christ to others through example and action?
Candidate: I do.
Sponsors are invited to stand with the candidate
Celebrant: These young people have chosen you as their sponsor to support them in their faith. Do you promise to be an example to them in their faith and practice?
Sponsor: I do.
Teacher: We give thanks to God for the commitment of these young people, their sponsors and their parents and those who have cared for them. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them to live life to the full. I ask Fr. ……… to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on you as you have expressed an openness to the ongoing action of the Spirit in your lives.
Homily
RITE OF CONFIRMATION
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Celebrant: Do you reject what is evil in life?
Candidates: I do.
Celebrant: Do you reject the selfishness of sin that brings unhappiness?
Candidates: I do.
Celebrant: Do you promise to make a better world free of injustice and oppression?
Candidates: I do.
Celebrant: Do you believe that God is Abba, Father who loves all that he creates?
Candidates: I do.
Celebrant: Do you believe that God is Son who loves us even in our weakness?
Candidates: I do.
Celebrant: Do you believe that God is Spirit of love, life and joy that empowers our hearts and pervades all creation?
Candidates: I do.
Celebrant: This is our faith. This is the faith of God’s people. We are happy to profess it and share it with our families.
Candidates: Amen.
Laying On of Hands
Celebrant: My dear friends, in baptism God our Father gave the new birth of eternal life to his chosen sons and daughters. Let us pray to our Father that he will pour out the Holy Spirit to strengthen his sons and daughters with his gifts and anoint them to be more like Christ, the Son of God.
The celebrant(s) stretch out their hands over the candidates and invite the sponsors to place their right hand on the right shoulder of the candidate:
All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
A MOMENT OF PRAYER ASKING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO COME UPON THOSE WHO ARE TO BE CONFIRMED (Click for the song)
Anointing with Chrism
The sponsor introduces the candidate for Confirmation to the Celebrant by stating their name and the confirmation name.
As they come forward the sponsor places his/her right hand on the candidate’s right shoulder as a symbol of the Church’s support as they are confirmed.
The Confirmation Card is brought forward.
Celebrant: (Name), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Candidate: Amen.
Celebrant: Peace be with you.
Candidate: And with your spirit.
As the gathered community it is important that we keep a prayerful and quiet space while all our young people are being confirmed.
Prayer of the Faithful
Let us pray for Francis, our Pope, Dermot, Our Bishop, the Pastoral Team of our Parishes and all our leaders in faith. May all who shepherd the Church find inspiration in prayer and act in truthfulness.
Lord, hear us…
Lord, graciously hear us.
Let us pray for our children – the future of our church – who are presented for the sacrament today. May our next generation discover a true hunger for God and a loving desire to grow in communion with God and one another.
Lord, hear us…
Lord, graciously hear us.
Let us pray for families presenting for sacraments this Easter season. May they find delight and encouragement in the spiritual growth of their children. May all parents and guardians model faith with courage and integrity.
Lord, hear us…
Lord, graciously hear us.
Let us pray for our Faith Community. May our celebrations of faith inspire us to offer hope, light and love to our world.
Lord, hear us…
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord’s Prayer
All:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.