What is Confirmation?
Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, which impresses the candidate with a special character. Through this sacrament the candidates are enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are bound more perfectly to the Church, and are strengthened in faith. The word “confirmation” comes from the Latin “firmare” which means “to strengthen”, but also “to confirm”. Candidates are promised God’s Holy Spirit, which means God wants to be with you, even when things get difficult. It is through Confirmation that candidates are able to witness more courageously to Christ by word and deed to spread and defend the faith.
The Role of Confirmandi
Receiving the sacrament of Confirmation is not automatic, it is a personal decision made by you! When you were baptized, your parents most likely decided for you to be initiated as a member of the Catholic Church. With your decision to be confirmed, you must be willing to be involved in the preparation program with the intention of remaining faithful to Christ and his Church.
The Role of Parents
Parents play an important role in the sacramental program. You help your son or daughter grow in faith as you prepare him or her for fruitful reception of the sacrament. Attendance at the weekly parish celebration of the Eucharist is vital. There is no substitute for your actual presence at Sunday mass. Your interest, involvement, and concern make a difference in your son’s or daughter’s perception of what this sacrament and the Christian life are all about.
The Role of the Sponsor
Each candidate, with the help of his or her parents, is responsible for choosing a sponsor. Church law states that the sponsor must be at least sixteen years of age, a confirmed Catholic who has received Holy Eucharist and a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church. The sponsor may NOT be a parent of the candidate.
Candidates will finalize their choice for sponsor in eighth grade. More specific details to share with the sponsor will be provided at that time.