Walther, 1906. Chapter 28, “The Confirmation Instruction”

Chapter 28, “The Confirmation Instruction” (pp. 188-190)

The pastor prepares confirmands with instruction on the Small Catechism. On p.188 he observes a Missouri Synod constitutional statement requiring that confirmands be able to recite the catechism “verbatim” and that they understand it sufficiently for self-examination. The suggested class time is a hundred hours, including such instruction and memorization of hymns. Based on Luke 2:41-42 Walther says children should normally not be confirmed until they are nearly thirteen years of age (p. 188). The most common dates for confirmation are Palm Sunday or the first Sunday after Easter. Walther suggests avoiding festival days such as Pentecost as the confirmation can detract from the importance of the holiday.