Rites of passage are essential to being in the world and growing up. They are there to help us transition from one stage of life to another. Most cultures have rites of passage that help young people transition from childhood to adulthood. Some rites we choose to undertake willingly, and some are thrust upon us. In both instances, these rites involve a process of becoming.

Confirmation, Baptism and First Holy Communion are some of the rites of passage we have in the Christian faith. An Anglican Prayerbook 1989 describes confirmation as follows:

At confirmation, the individual makes a response of faith, an act of commitment to Christ, by making or renewing the baptismal promises. This takes place in the presence of the bishop who represents the whole church and who is a sign of apostolic authority. The bishop then lays hands on the candidate's head and along with the people, prays that she will receive the strengthening gift of the Holy Spirit. By receiving this gift, the candidate is commissioned and empowered to fulfil her vocation as a Christian within the fellowship of the Church (An Anglican Prayerbook 1989:363).

Confirmation, as described above, is a voluntary rite of passage which a young person undertakes. As a school, we offer the space for girls to go through confirmation. Confirmation is described in the prayer book as a sacramental rite. As a sacramental rite it is a means of grace and yet not necessary for all people in the same way.

Confirmation at St Mary's happens annually in October and the Bishop of Johannesburg takes the service. It all begins in the first term with weekly classes, where we discuss matters concerning the Christian faith with the girls.

The process is open to girls from Form III to Form V.

REVD RAKGADI KHOBO
CHAPLAIN