Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace. It is the sacrament which gives us the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words and deeds.
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
In the Latin Church this sacrament is administered when the age of reason has been reached, and its celebration is ordinarily reserved to the bishop, thus signifying that this sacrament strengthens the bond with the Church. A candidate for Confirmation must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ.
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.
Please pray for people from our Parish who receive the sacrament of Confirmation, that they become true witnesses of Christ and their faith.
Adults seeking baptism, confirmation, or the sacrament of Eucharist can obtain more information here.