The Sacrament of Confirmation
"In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is 'sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit' and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ." Acts of the Apostles tells us, "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).
"Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply n 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 accompanied by deeds...
A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason 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, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.
The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism (in the East other sense-organs as well), together with the laying of the minister's hand and the words: "Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti" (Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.) in the Roman Rite, or "The seal of the gift that is the Holy Spirit" in the Byzantine rite.
Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community..." From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1309, 1316, 1319, 1320.
We alternate the celebration of this Sacrament with Holy Spirit Catholic Church, our sister parish in the city. This year the Sacrament will be administered by Bishop Gregory Hartmayer at our parish in the spring.