The Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation is celebrated once a year whenever it is convenient for the Bishop to come to the parish.  Formation is open to all youth who are in fifth grade or above as well as to any unconfirmed Catholic. Preparation for celebrating this sacrament is normally done in our Catholic school religion classes and in our CCD classes.  It extends over the fourth grade year and into the fifth grade year.  Those Catholics who are beyond high school are prepared for this sacrament through the RCIA program or through adult Confirmation classes.

The sacrament of confirmation completes the sacrament of baptism. If baptism is the sacrament of re-birth to a new and supernatural life, confir- mation is the sacrament of maturity and coming of age. The real confession of Christ consist in this 'that the whole man submits himself to Truth, in the judgment of his understanding, in the submission of his will and in the consecration of his whole power of love . . . To do this, poor-spirited man is only able when he has been confirmed by God's grace'

This confirmation in the power of the Holy Spirit leading to a firm profession of faith has always been the particular effect which Catholic tradition has ascribed to the sacrament. It is effect which complements and completes that of baptism.

THE CHURCH TEACHES:
Confirmation is a true sacrament instituted by Christ and different from baptism. It is administered by laying-on of hands and anointing with chrism accompanied by prayer. The chrism is blessed by the bishop and the bishop administers the sacrament. All baptized persons can and should be confirmed. The effect of the sacrament of confirmation is to give strength in faith and for the confession of faith and to impress an indelible character.

For more information, read the Catechism on Confirmation here.

Next sacrament: Holy Eucharist
Previous sacrament: Baptism