Can someone please explain confirmation to me?

**Minky** · 09-01-2009, 09:55pm

As a total heathen

can you please tell me when you're supposed to have your child confirmed?

I had a leaflet through the door (probably dropped in by the vicar

) about a confirmation workshop - is this applicable yet? T1 is only 4 (5 in March).

Fanks!

Minky x

**Damsella** · 09-01-2009, 09:56pm

It's usually when they're around 12 or 13, and can then make the decision themselves (ie confirm) that they wish to be Christians. AFAIK.

**Puck Bunny** · 09-01-2009, 09:59pm

You have to be baptised, then (I was 11) you make your own covenent with God at a ceremony with the Bishop.

My Mum was confirmed as an adult though

**RealGoneKid** · 09-01-2009, 09:59pm

It's unlikely that she's of an age to be confirmed yet. It varies from church to church (within CofE anyway) but the youngest I've heard of is 7. My parish don't accep children for confirmation until Y10.

The whole point of confirmation is that you are declaring yourself to be a Christian rather than your parents doing it for you at baptism so you need to be old enough to fully understand the promises that you are making.

ETA He's not trying to get you to be confirmed is he Minky?

**Minky** · 09-01-2009, 09:59pm

That's what I thought too, thanks Dams!

Minky xx

PS any news from your Mahiki friend?

**Zazie** · 09-01-2009, 10:05pm

Originally Posted by Damsella

It's usually when they're around 12 or 13, and can then make the decision themselves (ie confirm) that they wish to be Christians. AFAIK.

WSS. I did my confirmation at 13 but that was in France.

Zazie

**claireh** · 09-01-2009, 10:12pm

I am a (very) lapsed catholic.

I was confirmed when I was in my final year of primary school.

I recall that the idea behind it was that it followed on from baptism and it was where you made a personal confirmation of the promises made on your behalf at batism.

It is also supposed to be one of the seven sacraments. This particular one signifies the alighting (not sure if that is the right way to describe it!) of the holy spirit.

At our school we were confirmed by the Bishop of our diocese. We also had to choose a confirmation name, which would be a saints name and we had to learn all about that saint.

**Maudie** · 09-01-2009, 10:27pm

I'm CofE and chose to be confirmed at 14, my Mum was confirmed when she was 40.

**Hungry Hippo** · 09-01-2009, 10:43pm

As RGK mentioned, I think it might be for you Minky.

I was confirmed at 14/15 but there were quite a few adults confirmed at the same time as me. It's not that unusual for CofE to do it much later in life.