The work of the Office of Sacred Liturgy encompasses a variety of tasks including assisting the Bishop in his role as the chief liturgist as he establishes norms and directives for common worship in the Diocese of Birmingham.

The formation (and delegation) of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, and Altar Servers are also under the auspices of the Office of Sacred Liturgy.

For Clergy, the office provides training workshops for deacons, priests, and Masters of Ceremonies. The office also facilitates liturgical planning between the diocese and individual parishes, particularly with regard to Confirmation and the Bishop’s pastoral visitations.

Formation Day 2023!

Welcome to the Diocesan Liturgical Day of Formation for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion & Lectors! This workshop will provide an overview of Eucharistic theology and spirituality and a review of Diocesan guidelines for those mandated for ministry as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the Diocese of Birmingham.

LOCATION: St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Birmingham, AL

SCHEDULE: October 14, 2023  Sign-in at 8:00 a.m.; Bilingual Mass with Bishop at 9:00 a.m. followed by Formation Workshops: 10:00 a.m., EMHC training; 11:00 a.m., Lector training. The Adoration Chapel will also be open.

LINK to our EASY REGISTRATION: Simply select which workshop you will attend and then click "Submit" - you will be signed up!
If you are registering multiple people from your parish, please register only one name per submission. Registration Deadline: October 1, 2023.

2023 - 2024 CONFIRMATION INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Diocesan Confirmations
For the 2023 - 2024 season,  Diocesan Confirmations will be celebrated at the Cathdral of Saint Paul on: 

* October 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm;
*January 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm;
* May 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm.(Pentecost Vigil Mass)

We request that the Director of Religious Education registser each confirmand who will be confirmed at a Diocesan Confirmation to please
register them three weeks prior to the Confirmation Date. Online registration form, underFORMS.
 

Parish Confirmations
For parishes which have at least 25 persons to be confirmed: Bishop Raica is generally available to celebrate Confirmation on select Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at your parish throughout the year.  Parishes which need multiple celebrations are encourage to select a Saturday when both celebrations can occur on the same day (.i.e., 10:00 am and 1:00 pm).

For parishes, with less than 25 confirmands the following two options are available:

• Combine with another parish in the region to form 25 persons and request Bishop Raica for a joint celebration. 
• Register for one of the three bilingual Diocesan Confirmations held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION - 2023-2024 Confirmation 

Pre-registration for Parish and Diocesan Confirmation occurs in the summer prior to the academic year; this year the closing date to request a Confirmation is July 31, 2023. 
We are no longer accepting date requests for confirmation.  Please contact the Office of Sacred LIturgy should you have any questions. Thank you.

A complete Confirmation Schedule will be published once we have finalized the schedule. A 2023-2024 information planning packet be available at that time. This packet includes: 

•  Confirmation Schedule for the season
•  Confirmation Procedures and Protocols
•  Universal Prayer Petitions
•  Planning Forms and Instructions, also available on our website, under "Forms." 

Please Note!

• Bishop Raica's calendar is subject to change as unforeseen priorities emerge. In the event of his absence, his delegate will be sent so that the date of your Confirmation can be preserved insofar as possible.
• PROFESSION of FAITH: Those who are being received into full communion of the Catholic Church by Profession of Faith receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at that time in their parish.  
• ADULT CONFIRMATION for BAPTIZED CATHOLICS: Three options for those who are baptized Catholic but never received the Sacrament of Confirmation, after suitable catechesis in the judgment of their pastor, may: