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Confirmation Preparation

Confirmation, called Chrismation by the Eastern Orthodox Churches, is the second sacrament of initiation and is associated with the other two sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism and the Holy Eucharist.

  1. When adults are received into the Church, they receive the sacraments of initiation in the traditional order: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.
  2. The practice of the western (Latin) Church is to baptize children as infants, to allow them to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time at about age seven and to allow them to be confirmed between the ages of twelve and seventeen.
  3. In the Eastern churches, at their Baptism, infants receive Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist for the first time and so the traditional order of the sacraments of initiation is preserved.

The sacrament of Confirmation was instituted by Christ when he conferred the Holy Spirit on his apostles on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly on Pentecost.

Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit once granted to the Apostles on Pentecost.

  1. Confirmation increase and deepens baptismal grace.
  2. Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ.
  3. Confirmation intensifies our adoption as children of God.
  4. Confirmation increases the seven GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT in us: Wisdom, Understanding, Council, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord.
  5. Confirmation makes the bond with the Church more perfect.
  6. Confirmation gives us the strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith.

Those who are confirmed are capable of acting according to the FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: charily, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.

Confirmation imprints an indelible character on the soul of the recipient and can be received only once.

Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

  1. Those to be confirmed should have reached the "age of discretion." They should be in the state of grace, and they should have received the sacrament of Penance.
  2. In danger of death, children of any age should be confirmed (unless they have not be baptized – and in this case, they should be in the state of grace, they should be baptized and confirmed at the same time).
  3. The preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a greater familiarity with the Holy Spirit.
  4. Those to be confirmed should have a sense of belonging to the Church – both the universal Church and the parish community.
  5. The parish has a particular responsibility for preparing candidates to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

The sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying of on the hand, and through the words, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." The sign of peace which concludes the rite signifies and demonstrates communion with the bishop and all the faithful.

  1. It is appropriate that the sponsor for Confirmation be one of the baptismal godparents.
  2. The godparent must be at least sixteen, be a Catholic who has been confirmed, and has received the Holy Eucharist.
  3. In the Eastern Churches, after a prayer, the forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, breast, back, hands, and feet, are anointed.

The Bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, although a priest may confirm in certain circumstances, or with the permission of the bishop.

  1. In the Eastern Churches, the priest who baptizes, is the usual minister of Confirmation.

When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, those to be confirmed are required to have a sponsor – someone to guide them in living a full Christian life.

  1. It is appropriate that the sponsor for Confirmation be one of the baptismal godparents.
  2. A sponsor for Confirmation must be at least sixteen, be a Catholic who has been confirmed, and has received the Holy Eucharist.
  3. A sponsor for Confirmation should not be the mother or father of the one to be confirmed.

Oil is a sign of abundance and joy, of healing and strength.

  1. 1. Through the holy anointing in Confirmation, Christians are strengthened in order to live Christ-like lives. 2. Those confirmed are radiant with beauty and health: the beauty and health of the divine live: grace.

Material reproduced from "Outlines of the Catholic Faith", The Leaflet Missal Company, 1999

At St. Peter's

The Sacrament is conferred during the 5th grade, in the spring of the year. There is a 2 year religious education requirement that must be fulfilled prior to receiving the sacrament (as required by the 1996 diocesan synod). Preparation for the sacrament is part of the religious education programs in St. Peter's School and CCD Program.

Students in Grades 6 – 8, who move into the parish and need to be confirmed, will have this need addressed as part of their religious education program (School and CCD). High school students and adults who need to be confirmed should call the parish (423-1239) for information regarding their particular circumstances.