Sacrament Formation Guidelines

Info on formation for specific sacraments

• Christian Initiation 
• Baptism of infants
• Confirmation and First Holy Communion for children
• Confirmation for Catholic Adults and Teens 
• Penance
• Anointing of the Sick
• Preparing for Marriage
• Ordination to the Priesthood

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

Article: Describing and Defining Sacraments from St Mary's Press

Article Series: What Catholics Believe - The Sacraments by Father Mark Nolette for Harvest magazine

Liturgy is Essential

Restored Order of Initiation Sacraments 

Since 1997 the Catholic Church in Maine has followed the original or "restored order" of celebrating the initiation sacraments with children: Baptism as an infant (newborn to age 6) with Confirmation and first Holy Communion in the same Mass around what Canon Law describes as "the age of reason" (typically ages 7 to 12).

• This practice echoes what happened in the early Christian Church and mirrors the holistic formation process outlined in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, sometimes referred to as the "catechumenate." 
• Click to read a short article "Confirmation at the Time of First Communion" for an explanation of why the Diocese of Portland continues to confirm children at the time they receive their first holy Communion.
• Watch this short video about the history of how the Church came to celebrate three sacraments of initiation and God's action in giving the graces through the ritual celebrations.