The Sacrament of Confirmation
At confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirm our baptismal promises. Greater awareness of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop.
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in 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. (CCC 1316)
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we renew our baptismal promises and commit to living a life of maturity in the Christian faith. As we read in the Lumen Gentium (the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) from the Second Vatican Council:
Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of confirmation, [the baptized] are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength; hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ. (no. 11)
Scriptural Foundation for Confirmation
In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. While baptism is the sacrament of new life, confirmation gives birth to that life. Baptism initiates us into the Church and names us as children of God, whereas confirmation calls us forth as God’s children and unites us more fully to the active messianic mission of Christ in the world.
After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles went out and confirmed others, showing confirmation to be an individual and separate sacrament: Peter and John at Samaria (Acts 8:5-6, 14-17) and Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:5-6). Also the Holy Spirit came down on Jews and Gentiles alike in Caesarea, prior to their baptisms. Recognizing this as a confirmation by the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded that they be baptized (cf. Acts 10:47).
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in 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. (CCC 1316)
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we renew our baptismal promises and commit to living a life of maturity in the Christian faith. As we read in the Lumen Gentium (the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) from the Second Vatican Council:
Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of confirmation, [the baptized] are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength; hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ. (no. 11)
Scriptural Foundation for Confirmation
In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. While baptism is the sacrament of new life, confirmation gives birth to that life. Baptism initiates us into the Church and names us as children of God, whereas confirmation calls us forth as God’s children and unites us more fully to the active messianic mission of Christ in the world.
After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles went out and confirmed others, showing confirmation to be an individual and separate sacrament: Peter and John at Samaria (Acts 8:5-6, 14-17) and Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:5-6). Also the Holy Spirit came down on Jews and Gentiles alike in Caesarea, prior to their baptisms. Recognizing this as a confirmation by the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded that they be baptized (cf. Acts 10:47).
Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at our Parish
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Youth Confirmation Preparation
The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation completes one’s initiation into the Catholic Church by bestowing upon the person the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Youth preparation for Confirmation at Sacred Heart Parish is a two year preparation process. The purpose of the two year span is to both introduce and prepare the youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation, but also to prepare the youth for a lifetime of living out the Catholic Faith. During this process, the following are the steps to be taken by parents, Confirmation candidates, and their Confirmation sponsors:
*Parents with youth in sacramental preparation should send in a copy of the youth’s baptismal certificate to the Faith Formation Office.
Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults who have not been fully initiated into the Catholic Church
If you are an adult seeking to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation after first receiving the Sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion, you will take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) process. However, since you are already a baptized Catholic Christian, you will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Pentecost at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Colorado Springs. Those preparing for Confirmation alongside RCIA candidates and catechumens are encouraged to take part in the Holy Week Liturgies along with the candidates and catechumens.
Youth Confirmation Preparation
The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation completes one’s initiation into the Catholic Church by bestowing upon the person the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Youth preparation for Confirmation at Sacred Heart Parish is a two year preparation process. The purpose of the two year span is to both introduce and prepare the youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation, but also to prepare the youth for a lifetime of living out the Catholic Faith. During this process, the following are the steps to be taken by parents, Confirmation candidates, and their Confirmation sponsors:
*Parents with youth in sacramental preparation should send in a copy of the youth’s baptismal certificate to the Faith Formation Office.
- Sacramental formation is not a 1-2 hour per week process, but rather it is ongoing and requires attention to the spiritual life outside of the church building. During preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation it is recommended that:
- Parents attend Mass often with their teen preparing for Confirmation- it is vital that Confirmation candidates witness their parents’ faith in action as they prepare to receive the Sacrament.
- Confirmation candidates attend all class sessions during years 1 and 2. Parents and sponsors are asked to attend the two required meetings as outlined on the calendar.
- Discuss the faith as a family- whether this is simply by talking about the homily or readings after Mass, or setting aside time each week around the dinner table to have open and honest conversations about the faith.
- During the preparation process, candidates spend time researching their Confirmation Saint and reflecting upon their place in the Catholic Church today.
- All Confirmation candidates attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once during the Season of Lent in anticipation of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Easter Season.
- As part of their continuing faith formation, parents should enroll their youth in Sunday Faith Formation in the summer prior to the youth entering 7th grade. The Diocese of Colorado Springs requires that all youth attend one year of catechesis immediately prior to a year of sacramental preparation.
- Confirmation is typically during the Easter Season of a youth’s 8th grade year. So, Year One of the Confirmation Prep process is typically during 7th grade and Year Two is typically during the 8th grade year.
- If a child has not attended faith formation for several years and seeks Confirmation as an 8th grader, they will be asked to enter into Year One of the Confirmation Prep process. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.
- If a child has excessive absences during a year of preparation in 7th or 8th grade, they will be required to meet with the Faith Formation Director, along with their parents, to discuss a plan going forward.
- Confirmation is typically during the Easter Season of a youth’s 8th grade year. So, Year One of the Confirmation Prep process is typically during 7th grade and Year Two is typically during the 8th grade year.
- Since sacramental preparation is also preparation for full and active participation in the parish community, Confirmation candidates will be asked to be involved in outreach service and on-site Confirmation classes.
- With the communal aspect in mind, there is not an at-home or home study option for sacramental preparation.
- Each Confirmation candidate will be asked to participate in service opportunities throughout the year. Service opportunities are intended to allow the candidates an opportunity to live out the lessons that they have learned during Faith Formation.
Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults who have not been fully initiated into the Catholic Church
If you are an adult seeking to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation after first receiving the Sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion, you will take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) process. However, since you are already a baptized Catholic Christian, you will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Pentecost at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Colorado Springs. Those preparing for Confirmation alongside RCIA candidates and catechumens are encouraged to take part in the Holy Week Liturgies along with the candidates and catechumens.
