Confirmation

Sacraments – Confirmation

Confirmation takes place when an older child or adult acknowledges that they still want to continue their journey with God. Through Confirmation, the candidate forges a deeper relationship with God, strengthens their faith and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-17).

“… I am the light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace by giving the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply and incorporate us more firmly into Christ, as well as strengthen our bond with the Church, and associate us more closely with her mission, helping us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds (CCC 1316), both within the Church and in society at large.

The rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism together with the laying on of the minister’s hand and the words: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1320). The celebration of Confirmation includes the renewal of baptismal promisestakes place during a Eucharist. This helps underline the unity of all the sacraments of Christian initiation.

Whoever has reached the age of reason, has not been confirmed, and seeks the sacrament of confirmation with all that it means is most welcome to take part in preparation for the sacrament in the parish. For more information, please contact Fr. Pat Keogh.