Confirmation is the sacrament that completes the grace we receive in Baptism. Through it, we are "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and strengthened to live out our mission to be Christ's witnesses to our families, communities, and the world.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
These seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are received through Confirmation:
Wisdom helps us recognize the importance of others and the importance of keeping God central in our lives.
Understanding is the ability to comprehend the meaning of God's message.
Knowledge is the ability to think about and explore God's revelation, and also to recognize that there are mysteries of faith beyond us.
Counsel is the ability to see the best way to follow God's plan when we have choices that relate to Him.
Fortitude is the courage to do what we know is right.
Piety helps us pray to God in true devotion.
Fear of the Lord is the feeling of amazement before God, who is all-present, and whose friendship we do not want to lose.
Confirmation - A Deeper Understanding
video courtesy of Ascension Press, LLC www.ascensionpress.com
Scriptural Foundation for Confirmation
In 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). 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).
Registration for High School Religious Education and Confirmation is going on now. Forms can be downloaded from the Faith Formation section of the website. Please call the parish office at 794-3496 if you have questions. Thank you!