Confirmation
Every Catholic having attained the age of reason, is obliged to receive the holy sacrament of confirmation under pain of sin.
Those who have neglected it after their twelfth year or thereabouts, or may never have had the opportunity to receive it, are obliged under pain of grievous sin to prepare themselves for its reception, when an occasion presents itself, no matter how old they may be.
Hence, such must make themselves known to the Pastor, so that he may advise them when the first opportunity arrives, and have them duly instructed and prepared.
To receive this sacrament worthily a Catholic must be sufficiently instructed in his holy religion and concerning the character and purpose of this sacrament. He must, moreover, be in the state of grace when he receives it. Hence the custom of previously going to confession.
It is not, however, necessary to receive Holy Communion on the day of confirmation, although it is customary to do so.
Unless the Pastor has provided, the candidates for confirmation must have a Godfather or Godmother, commonly called a sponsor, according to the sex of the candidate, who contracts a spiritual relationship with the candidate, the same as a Godparent at baptism.
See Impediments of Matrimony, Page 44.
The name of a saint is usually given the candidate at confirmation, which should be carefully selected by the candidate beforehand.
No one must approach the Bishop for confirmation unless by the previous consent of the Pastor or Priest in charge of those to be confirmed, nor without a card for the purpose, bearing the name under which the candidate is to be confirmed.
