The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church.  Traditionally, the rite (or ceremony) of baptism was held outside the doors of the main part of the church, to signify this fact.

 
Doctrinal Statements

• The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
• The Risen Jesus commissioned the Apostles to baptize when he said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19-20).
• Baptism gives a person birth into new life.  It is necessary for salvation and for entry into the Church.
• The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the person in water three times or pouring water on his or her head three times while invoking the Holy Trinity:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• The effects of Baptism are delivery from all sins (Original and personal), reception of the grace of divine adoption, being made a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit, initiation into the Church, and being made a sharer in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and king.
• Baptism seals the person's soul with a permanent spiritual mark or character identifying one as belonging to Christ.  Because of this character, Baptism cannot be repeated.
• People who die for the faith, catechumens who died before being baptized, and those who do not know Christ or the Church through no fault of their own but who, by the action of grace, seek God sincerely and do his will can be saved even without being baptized.
• Infants have been baptized since apostolic times, for this is a gift from God and does not presuppose human merit.  Children are baptized in the faith of the Church.
• Trusting in God's mercy, we confidently hope for the salvation of children who die without Baptism.
• In time of necessity such as the danger of death, all persons can baptize.  The person baptizing must intend to do what the Church does, by pouring water three times on the candidate's head while saying "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

-- United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Part II. The Sacraments:  The Faith Celebrated pp. 197-198

If you have questions about the celebration (Liturgy) of the Sacrament of Confirmation in your parish, please contact the Bishop's Office at (618) 722-5003. Thank you.

If you have questions regarding the preparation of the confirmandi, please contact  Religious Education and Youth Ministry at (618) 722-5037. Thank you.

Confirmation 2025

Confirmation Letter and Available Dates - 2025

2025 Confirmation Information Sheet

Bishop's Letter Regarding Confirmation Texts

Confirmation Resources

FORM A Guidelines for the Person Preparing the Liturgy

FORM B Guidelines for the Person Preparing the Confirmation Worship Aid

FORM C Guidelines for the Confirmation Sponsor

FORM D Guidelines for Choosing the Names of Saints for Confirmation

FORM E Guidelines for the Person Preparing the Confirmandi

FORM F Guidelines for Name Tags

FORM G Guidelines for Reprints and Permissions

FORM H Guidelines for Formation and Catechesis

Guidelines for a  Good Letter to Your Bishop
Sample Bishop Letter Format

Confirmation Sample Worship Aid

Confirmation Sample Worship Aid 2

Confirmation Sample Worship Aid 3

Suggested Hymns and Responsorial Psalms for Confirmation

The Sacrament of Penance reconciles us with God.  "The whole power of the Sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship" (CCC, no. 1468).

 

This Sacrament also reconciles us with the Church.  Sin should never be understood as a private or personal matter, because it harms our relationship with others and may even break our loving communication with the Church.  The Sacrament of Penance repairs this break and has a renewing effect on the vitality of the Church itself.

-- United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Part II. The Sacraments:  The Faith Celebrated p. 242

The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator.  Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures and spiritual attitudes. (CCC, no. 1603)  -- United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, Part II  The Sacraments:  The Faith Celebrated, p. 279

Marriage is a gift to our Church and our country. It is important for couples to build up their own marriages. Below are resources you can use to continue to build the bond between you and your spouse. Spend a little dedicated time in prayer and reflection focusing on your marriage.

MARRIAGE

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)  

For Your Marriage

Marriage:  Unique for a Reason

Por tu Matrimonio

African American Marriage and Family Life

A Marriage Bonded by Love and Faith

Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage Preparation (includes Your Wedding in the Catholic Church)
These Guidelines were prepared by the Department of Pastoral Services' Committee on Marriage Preparation, Diocese of Belleville