The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 25, 2026
A few weeks ago, we looked at celebrating the Rite of Reception during these weeks before Lent so baptized Christians becoming Catholic can be brought to the eucharistic table without delay. Today, you might also consider celebrating the confirmation of Catholics already sharing in the Eucharist.
Confirmation is another one of those rites that parishes often celebrate at the Easter Vigil because they see Easter as, rightly, the premier time for initiation. However, for baptized Catholics already sharing in Communion, confirmation is not the completion of their initiation. The sacrament that completes initiation—that is its fulfillment and climax—is the Eucharist. For Catholics already sharing in Communion, their confirmation is a deepening of their bond to Christ’s mission into which they have already been fully united and are graced to carry out through their sharing in the Eucharist.
For Catholics already sharing in Communion, their confirmation is a deepening of their bond to Christ’s mission into which they have already been fully united and are graced to carry out through their sharing in the Eucharist.
On Sundays of Ordinary Time, ritual Masses are permitted, so you could use the prayers for confirmation and change some of the readings. Today’s assigned Gospel reading, however, is already one of the options given for confirmation!
An important note to remember is that your pastor will need permission from your bishop to confirm any Catholics. So be sure to contact your bishop’s office early to request that delegation, or, if your bishop is open to it, invite him to celebrate the sacrament at your parish!
Leave a Reply