The work of the Office of Sacred Liturgy encompasses a variety of tasks including assisting the Bishop in his role as the chief liturgist as he establishes norms and directives for common worship in the Diocese of Birmingham.
The formation (and delegation) of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, and Altar Servers are also under the auspices of the Office of Sacred Liturgy.
For Clergy, the office provides training workshops for deacons, priests, and Masters of Ceremonies. The office also facilitates liturgical planning between the diocese and individual parishes, particularly with regard to Confirmation and the Bishop’s pastoral visitations.
2023 - 2024 CONFIRMATION INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
DICOSEAN CONFIRMATIONS:
For the 2023 - 2024 season, Diocesan Confirmations will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Paul on:
* October 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm;
*January 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm;
* May 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm.(Pentecost Vigil Mass)
We request that the Director of Religious Education registser each confirmand who will be confirmed at a Diocesan Confirmation to please register them three weeks prior to the Confirmation Date. Online registration form, underFORMS.
PARISH CONFIRMATIONS:
For parishes which have at least 25 persons to be confirmed: Bishop Raica is generally available to celebrate Confirmation on select Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at your parish throughout the year. Parishes which need multiple celebrations are encourage to select a Saturday when both celebrations can occur on the same day (.i.e., 10:00 am and 1:00 pm).
For parishes, with less than 25 confirmands the following two options are available:
- Combine with another parish in the region to form 25 persons and request Bishop Raica for a joint celebration.
- Register for one of the three bilingual Diocesan Confirmations held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
Registration Information
Pre-registration to select a date for Parish and Diocesan Confirmation occurs in the summer prior to the academic year. We are no longer accepting date requests for confirmation. Please contact the Office of Sacred LIturgy should you have any questions. Thank you.
Parish Confirmation Planning Packet
Please view below and select the links for information for the 2023-2024 Confirmation Season:
Please Note!
- Bishop Raica's calendar is subject to change as unforeseen priorities emerge. In the event of his absence, his delegate will be sent so that the date of your Confirmation can be preserved insofar as possible.
- PROFESSION of FAITH: Those who are being received into full communion of the Catholic Church by Profession of Faith receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at that time in their parish.
- ADULT CONFIRMATION for BAPTIZED CATHOLICS: Three options for those who are baptized Catholic but never received the Sacrament of Confirmation, after suitable catechesis in the judgment of their pastor, may:
* Register for a Diocesan Confirmation after having been duly registered and approved through the Office of Sacred Liturgy. |
* Attach to a Parish Confirmation in their region with permission of both their pastor and the host pastor of where the Confirmation will be held. |
* Be confirmed by their Pastor on Pentecost weekend when delegation will be granted to all pastors. |