Before you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation the Catechism of the Catholic Church  states you should be in a State of Grace free from sin.   Letters were mailed home giving you the times and dates of Reconciliation.   Please watch these videos which will help you with Reconciliation.   If you are a student at St. Joseph's High School you may receive Reconciliation at school.   No papers to turn in.

A Letter to the Bishop
Requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation

Each candidate is required to write a letter to the Bishop, stating YOUR desire to be confirmed.  The letter is Your own description of your personal faith journey so far.  They are also a reflection on you, your family and your parish family here at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory.  So please write what is in your heart and take this endeavor seriously.

Here are some guidelines.  These topics should be covered, in your own words and style.  Please don’t write what someone else tells you to say or what you think what the Bishop wants to hear, this is how you feel!

All letters should be typed and you should check your spelling and grammar.

Heading:   (Please use the formal heading)

Most Rev. Brandan Cahill
1505 E. Mesquite
Victoria, Texas  77901

Dear Bishop Cahill    or    Your Excellency     (Either form is acceptable)

Paragraph 1:     Introduce yourself. Say something about your family, your education and your parish.  Anything you would like the Bishop to know about you.

Paragraph 2:  Request the Sacrament and give a couple of reasons you believe you are ready to be confirmed.

Paragraph 3: Explain how you have prepared for this sacrament.  It is important that you tell him about specific parts of your preparation, your prayer life,  other sacraments you  have had, your Confirmation Sponsor’s Name and why they are special to you.  Your saint’s name and why you chose it.   Any service that you have done and how was it connected to a spiritual or corporal work of mercy.

Paragraph 4:  Explain how you plan to continue to carry out your role as a Catholic.  How will you continue to worship and serve others and how you plan to make your Confirmation in Faith real and alive in your life.

Conclusion:

Sincerely
Your Name   (You will need to sign this letter)
Confirmation Candidate of The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory.

There is no right or wrong way to write this letter.  The above is just a suggestion on how to do so.   Everyone is different and has different experiences.   Please be honest and know he personally reads each letter he receives.  Most importantly it must be your own words and work and a personal reflection from you.

You should turn your letter in on or before the deadline of Wednesday, February 24.  If you are in ccd you can turn it in to your R.E. teacher.  You may also email it to ccd@olvcathedral.org or bring by the Religious Education Office or Church Rectory.  All St. Joseph’s High School students have this deadline also.  NO NOT MAIL THE LETTER TO THE BISHOP IT WILL BE SENT BACK.  They  have to go over as a group with a cover letter stating you have been properly prepare for this Sacrament.  Questions please call 575-8132    A sample is below. . . it is just a sample do NOT copy this.

Sample Letter 

Heading

Most Rev. Brandan Cahill
1505 E. Mesquite
Victoria, Texas  77901

Your Excellency,

My name is John Smith.  I am currently in 10^th grade at West High School and I belong to Our Lady of Victory Parish.   I have an older brother and a younger sister.  I have lived in Victoria all my life.  I enjoy playing sports, video games and hanging out with my friends.   I am on the Jr. Varsity Football Team.

I am writing you today to request the Sacrament of Confirmation.  I want to be confirmed now because I want to deepen my relationship with Jesus.  I know that when I receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit,  I will be more fully equipped to face the challenges of life in the future.  I want my Catholic Faith to always be a big part of my life, and I know that Confirmation will give me the grace I need to keep it like that.

I have done a lot of work in preparation for Confirmation.   Due to covid I missed out on some of the retreats and service projects but I am hoping I can be involved in that way in the future.  I have attended ccd class since I was in 1^st grade.  I have my confirmation sponsor my Aunt Susan,  she has always encouraged me in my faith and I know in the future I can count on her to help me live like Christ wants me to.  I also did a food drive to help a homeless community which made me appreciate my family and the sacrifices they have made for me.  I want to continue to help others because God asks us to but I simply enjoyed doing it.   I appreciate all the teachers and others who have helped me learn my faith, one day I would like to share that faith with children of my own or maybe actually work in an ccd program. 

Once I am confirmed I will continue to live my Catholic Faith.   I will make an effort to be more involved in the Mass,  not just sitting but opening my heart and mind to what Jesus tells us from the gospels.  I want to spend a bit more time reading the bible; there is so much I can learn from that.  I look forward to meeting you, Bishop Brandan, when you come to our parish, Our Lady of Victory, to celebrate this special time for us.  

Sincerely,

(your signature here)

John Smith
Confirmation Candidate
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory


Please note this is a sample -  your letter needs to be your words and works.  If you want to email them it that is ok but we will need you to still sign it.

Please note these are due on or before February 24, 2021