It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.⁸⁸ For "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

Scriptural basis: “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit.” (Acts 8: 14-17).

Who can receive the sacrament?

Can. 889 #1 Every baptized person who is not confirmed, and only such a person, is capable of receiving confirmation.

#2 Apart from the danger of death, to receive confirmation lawfully a person who has the use of reason must be suitably instructed, properly disposed and able to renew the baptismal promises.

Who can administer the sacrament?

Bishops are the ordinary ministers of Confirmation. Priests who have the bishop's delegation can also confirm.

How is it celebrated?

The ceremony may take place at Mass or outside of Mass, and the bishop wears red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen hovering over the heads of the apostles at Pentecost. The following occurs during the Sacrament of Confirmation:

• Each individual to be confirmed comes forward with his or her sponsor.
• The Catholic being confirmed stands or kneels before the bishop, and the sponsor lays one hand on the shoulder of the one being confirmed. The Confirmation name is spoken, and the bishop puts Chrism Oil on the person's forehead, says his name aloud, and then says, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." The person responds, "Amen." The bishop then says, "Peace be with you." And the person responds, "And with your spirit" or "And also with you."

What are the sacrament’s effects?

1. Roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [being adopted as sons and daughters of God the Father] which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!"
2. Unites us more firmly to Jesus Christ.
3. Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
4. Renders our bond with the Church [the Body of Christ] more perfect.
5. Gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

      Families requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation will need to attend a process of faith formation in preparation prior to the reception of the Sacrament. Please contact our office.