Diocese of Saint Augustine
Sacramental Guidelines For School-Aged Children
Approved By Bishop Victor Galeone, May 19, 2004

The Diocese of Saint Augustine has established the following requirements for the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Penance and First Eucharist for school-aged children:

• Ongoing remote preparation is essential prior to Sacramental Catechesis.

• Readiness of candidates is determined through consultation with parents, catechists, pastor and candidates.

• Remote preparation is provided through the religious education program, Catholic school program and home school programs during their regular classroom instruction. All programs mentioned will utilize the same text selected by the director of Religious Education and the school principal for consistency and continuity from the approved United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) list. The choice of texts would then need to be approved by the Office of Christian Formation and the diocesan Office of Educational Services.

• Immediate preparation for the sacraments involves religious education programs, Catholic school programs and those who home school joining together for a minimum of six (6) hours, and a maximum of twelve (12) hours for each sacrament. Sacramental catechesis takes place during parental meetings and/or parent and family rituals, workshops and/or retreat time.

• Since full initiation is the norm for all Catholics, persons with special needs (families with unique needs, including physical, emotional and mental disabilities but not limited to these circumstances) are to be included within all formation, training and participation of sacraments.

• Parents and other role models are encouraged to act as witnesses by their regular participation in church life within the parish.

• The proper context for the celebration of the sacraments is the parish community. A privileged time and place for the sacrament, namely confirmation and First Eucharist, is the Sunday assembly.