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The Sacrament of Confirmation

"By the Sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." (CCC 1285) Confirmation is the Sacrament in which Christ strengthens us with the Holy Spirit. In a world that is continuously combating us and attempting to bring us down, receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit is very important.

As one of the three sacraments of initiation, it is crucial for us to be confirmed. It completes our unity with the Church and opens us to even more graces in our lives. The Sacrament strengthens us to be able to stand forth in the place God has planted us as disciples and defenders of our faith. Saint Ambrose said of Confirmation: "Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of right judgment and courage, the Spirit of knowledge and reverence, the Spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts." Through Confirmation, you are better able to bloom where you are planted.

As Adults, Confirmation typically happens on the Easter Vigil after the completion of the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults. (R.C.I.A) All three Sacraments of Initiation are given at this vigil (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.) The three Sacraments begin the life of Christ in the individual and empowers them to go back to a world that has not changed. If you are a Baptized adult who has not been confirmed and would like to learn more, please contact Brian Mullins for more information about R.C.I.A.

For Children, Confirmation in our diocese occurs during their eighth-grade year. It is a two-year program in which they learn more about their faith, about the sacraments, and about the necessity not to see it as graduation but as a beginning of the walk as a disciple of Christ. If you or your child would like to learn more about being Confirmed, please contact the parish office.