Confirmation marks the point when a man or woman becomes an adult member of the Roman Catholic Church. It is like a coming-of-age, when a person decides to live their Catholic faith for themselves, and not just because their parents raised them to live this way. Confirmation should be made when an individual reaches a state of spiritual maturity,

There are two parts to the rite of Confirmation. The first is anointing with the sacred chrism. Anointing is an ancient Biblical practice: the Sacred Oil is a sign of joy, healing, cleansing, and adds beauty, health, and strength to the anointed. Through this anointing, the confirmand receives the seal or mark of the Holy Spirit. This seal indicates that the man or woman has chosen to be set apart from the world for the sake of Jesus Christ and His Church. (CCC 1293 - 1296)

The second part of the sacrament is the laying on of hands. In this part, the bishop or priest lays his hand on the confirmand and prays a special prayer calling for the Holy Spirit to come pour Himself out upon the man or woman and fill him or her. This completes the baptismal grace and gives the confirmand the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (CCC 1285)

What are the Gifts of The Holy Spirit Received in Confirmation?

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are tools given to us by the Holy Spirit to help us live our Catholic Faith more boldly. There are seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are:

1) Wisdom
2) Understanding
3) Counsel
4) Fortitude
5) Knowledge
6) Piety
7) Fear of the Lord
 

How do I Recieve the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Because the decision to become a full member of the Catholic Church is one that should be taken seriously and with much discernment, we require you to complete a formal preparation program.

At St. Elizabeth/St. Dominic, Confirmation preparation begins in 8th grade Faith Formation and is completed in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at the end of 9th grade. Please contact Heather Marsh for more information.

If you are an adult who has been baptized but not confirmed, or if you have not been baptized, you are required to complete the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program. For more information, please contact  Heather Marsh.