Diocese of St Davids

CONFIRMATION INSTRUCTIONS

I. THE PREPARATION
1.	The preparation of confirmation candidates should begin at least four months before the date of the confirmation. Special attention should be given to worship and devotion as well as to instruction.
2.	Great care should be taken to ascertain that all candidates have been baptised.  If the record of baptism cannot be found, or if there be any doubt or uncertainty, the candidate should be conditionally baptised.
3.	Where candidates for confirmation are not baptised, it is theologically and ecclesiologically appropriate that they be baptised by the Bishop in the same ceremony. The Bishop would consider it a privilege to preside at anyone’s baptism and confirmation.
4.	With the formation of LMAs, the confirmation services can be planned in such a way that candidates are presented together and that such services are rotated around the LMA. Priests should liaise with each other and give good notice of the number of candidates preparing for confirmation. 
5.	The Confirmation Details Form is completed by the priest in whose church the confirmation service is taking place. The form can be found on the St Davids Diocese website, or a hard copy may be requested from the Bishop’s Chaplain. This should be returned by email or post to the Bishop’s Chaplain no later than a fortnight before the service.  
6.	The Confirmation (grey) Form or Return should be completed by the priest and handed to the Bishop after the service. Please note this form has to be signed by both the Presiding Bishop and the Incumbent of the Church in which the Confirmation is taking place. Also please make sure you fill the details of who is the sponsor for each candidate. This form can be obtained from The Church in Wales website.
https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/publications/order-books-online/ 
7.	In addition, a Confirmation Register needs to be kept in every parish, which the Bishop will sign.

II. ARRANGING THE SERVICE
8.	The Confirmation takes place within the context of the Eucharist. Orders of Service are pre prepared by the Bishop’s office.
9.	The Bishop asks that all clergy and lay ministers who are present robe and process. Those who celebrating the Eucharist or are serving as deacons should wear Alb and stole; others should wear cassock and surplus with stole.
10.	A Confirmation service is to be regarded as an important event in the life of the parish for all parishioners; it should therefore be the only service that day in that church or group of churches. Churchwardens and members of the Parochial Church Council should always be present.  
11.	The Propers should be those for the day (the “related” readings). If there is a specific request for a different reading, please advise the Bishop’s Chaplain. The parish priest choses readers – incorporating the Welsh language where possible. 
12.	The liturgical colour is RED for confirmation; WHITE if there is also a baptism. 
13.	The Bishop, as President of the Eucharist, will generally preside over the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Sacrament. 
14.	If there is a deacon present, he or she will read the Gospel, prepare the altar, and attend to the ablutions. If there is no deacon, then a designated priest shall attend to these things.
15.	The parish priest is to decide who assists with the administration of the chalice; two Eucharistic Assistants would be helpful if a large congregation is expected. 
16.	The Bishop will receive and pray over the offertory, half of which will come to The Bishop’s Mission and General Fund (in the form of a cheque or as cash after the service if possible or deposited into the Bank account for which details can be gotten from the Chaplain prior). If the confirmation takes place mid-week, then the whole of the offertory comes to the Bishop’s Fund please.
17.	 Seasonal hymns should be chosen. The Bishop wishes that the Veni Creator be sung after the candidates for Confirmation make their declarations of faith and before the Confirmation. This is now included in the Confirmation Order of Service booklet. 
18.	The Bishop ‘s Chaplain can be contacted prior to the service for copies of the Confirmation Order of Service booklet which can be picked up from the Bishop’s office at least 2 weeks before the service. Or if you would like an electronic copy of the booklet in order for you to print it in your churches, please request it before hand and the Chaplain will send you an electronic copy.

III. The Confirmation
19.	A chair will be required for the Bishop at the chancel step from which she will preside. A chair either side of her would be useful if there is space.
20.	The Bishop will usually be accompanied by her chaplain and would appreciate the assistance of one additional chaplain. This ministry is particularly appropriate for deacons and lay readers but can be carried out by any member of the congregation.
21.	Candidates will be confirmed singly unless the number is over ten, or unless members of the same family wish to be confirmed together.
22.	Candidates may make their promises in either English or Welsh.
23.	The Bishop will anoint the candidates with the Oil of Chrism, prior to the laying on of hands. 
24.	During the laying on of hands, the advancing file should be kept reasonably close to the chancel step to avoid long pauses.
25.	The priest should ensure that each candidate has a card clearly indicating the name by which the person is normally known and also the language in which the person wishes to be confirmed. This card shall be held by the candidate when kneeling before the Bishop.  
26.	If desirable a sponsor or witness may accompany a young person at confirmation who may or may not be one of the Godparents. This sponsor may hold the card indicating the name of the candidate.
27.	The newly confirmed usually receive Holy Communion before the general congregation, or they may accompany their families.  The Bishop welcomes an opportunity to meet the candidates and their families after the service.
28.	The Bishop would like arrangements to be made for a digital photograph of her and the candidates following the service.
29.	It is recommended that a rehearsal is arranged for all candidates.

IV. ARRIVAL OF THE BISHOP
The Bishop should be met on arrival and a parking space reserved as near to the church as possible. She will normally arrive forty-five to thirty minutes before the service.
If the church is difficult to find, directions should be sent to the Bishop’s Chaplain please.