Sacrament Formation Guidelines

Determining the Appropriate Path for Sacramental Preparation

Sacramental Preparation Flow Chart

General Information

Guidelines for Celebrating Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop (USCCB, 2017)

Online Resources on the Seven Sacraments from the USCCB

Diocese of Portland Godparent/Sacramental Sponsor Verification Forms

Liturgy is Essential

    Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

    RCIA includes children age 7 or older.

    What is RCIA? (USCCB)

    Diocesan Forms/Guides

    Resources for Use in the RCIA process

    Return to top

    Infant Baptism

    Diocesan Guidelines Infant Baptism (1995, 2022 amended version online soon) - also addresses child younger than age of reason

    Recording of Msgr Marc Caron and Shannon Fossett addressing Infant Baptism at Nov 12, 2020 LFFA meeting

    Initial Parent Interview for Infant Baptism in Spanish (May 2022) in English (June 2022)

    Examples of Resources for Use in Sacrament Formation for Infant Baptism: Simple List with Links (May 18, 2022)       

    Godparent/Sponsor Verification Form PDF (June 2022) Customizable Word Doc 

    Marriage Preparation 

    "Telling Anew the Story of Marriage" (Marriage Preparation Guidelines - 2009)

    Diocesan policy, permissions, dispensations, etc.

    Preparing Children for Confirmation & First Communion

    2022 Schedule of Parish celebrations of Confirmation and first holy Communion (updated March 7, 2022)

    2022 Memo to PCLs about Spring Celebrations (updated April 14, 2022)

    The Diocese of Portland Guidelines to Prepare Children for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist was approved and published in June 2015.  The guidelines establish a two-year preparation process for all children preparing to receive Penance, Confirmation and First Eucharist which includes the involvement of their parents/guardians.  Below you will find a link to these guidelines.  A variety of resources to support parish leaders in the implementation of this policy have been prepared by the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation and the Sacrament Guideline Committee.

    Follow the links below.

    Bishop's Letter

    Communicating with parents / guardians

    Sacrament Preparation - Year 1

    • Who do you say that I am?
    • Handout for Who do you say that I am?
    • Bible in a Nutshell: Scripture
    • The Power of the Sacraments
    • Do this in Memory of Me:  Encounter Jesus in the Eucharist
    • Hello!  Can you Hear Me Now? Prayer
    • I am The Way, Come Follow Me: Following Jesus as a Family
       

    Sacrament Preparation - Year 2

    • Forgiving One Another
    • Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation
    • The Holy Spirit and You
    • Sacrament of Confirmation
    • Jesus, the Bread of Life
    • Celebrating the Eucharist

    Resources and Articles  

    Resources for Sacrament Preparation, including: Sacrament Preparation Program for Parishes • Confirmation Preparation for Teens • Resources for Parent Formation • Resources for Children with Disabilities • Video Resources for Children • Supplemental Resources for Families • Suggested Books

    Videos

    Articles