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Preparing Young People for a Lifetime of Discipleship
by Steven Ellair

There is an old Jewish story of a rabbi and a soapmaker. One day, while walking along together, the soapmaker turned to the rabbi and said, “Of what use is religion? After all these years there is still violence, injustice, and little peace. If religion is good and true, why is this so?” The rabbi remained silent and the two continued along their journey.

A few minutes later the rabbi spotted some children who had become rather dirty from playing in a nearby puddle. He then turned to the soapmaker and said, “Look at those children there. See how dirty they are? You say that soap makes people clean, but it certainly doesn’t seem to be. I wonder if soap is useful at all.” The soapmaker instantly resisted, “But, rabbi, soap doesn’t do any good unless it is used!” “Precisely,” said the rabbi, “and so it is with religion. It is simply ineffective unless it is applied and used.”

I love to use this story with catechists and Catholic school teachers to demonstrate the importance of reaching beyond the goal of simply helping people know their faith to the goal of helping people choose to live their faith. Although this is the goal of every age and stage of life, it seems an especially important message for those preparing for the celebration of Confirmation. Because this is a Sacrament of Christian Initiation, preparing for Confirmation is a process of preparing not only for a sacramental celebration in a local diocese but for a lifetime of discipleship and mission as part of the Body of Christ, the Church. This is certainly no small matter.

How we help young people prepare for Confirmation then becomes an important consideration. One of the most powerful and effective means of catechesis for this sacrament is through liturgy and ritual. Called the “eminent kind of catechesis” (GDC 71, CT 23), liturgical catechesis informs and forms people by inviting them to experience and reflect on the rituals they will encounter. Supported by Scripture, doctrine, and a specific focus on the different parts of the rite, a complete Confirmation preparation also includes an exploration and development of faith-living skills and the encouragement to make decisions that are informed by faith. When this is done in an age-appropriate manner with the support of the larger parish community and a chosen sponsor, young people are truly prepared for a lifetime of discipleship!