What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. It is the sacrament where Catholic people decide for themselves that they want to become part of the Catholic church and follow Catholic teaching.

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Why do we celebrate Confirmation? Confirmation is the modern celebration of what happened to Jesus's apostles on the feast of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit comes to us in the same way he came to the apostles when they were all locked in an upper room together. During Confirmation, the holy spirit is said to leave an "indelible mark" on your soul, meaning that you are forever one of God's children. [back to the top]

Who can be confirmed?

Confirmation can be received by children and adults alike. Ths sacrament comes after a person has received baptism, reconciliation and first Holy Communion. Very often, in today's world, kids are teenagers when they receive Confirmation.

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How does a person prepare for Confirmation?

To prepare for Confirmation, children and adults attend religious education classes. These classes teach them about the Catholic church, and focus in particular on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which they will receive in Confirmation. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe.

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What is a confirmation sponsor?

Your confirmation sponsor is a confirmed Catholic person who agrees to help you on your journey as a Catholic person. He or she attends the confirmation ceremony with you.

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What happens during the confirmation ceremony? A bishop anoints a confirmation candidate on the forehead with Chrism oil. Then he places his hands on the candidate's head and prays that the Holy Spirit will enter that person. The bishop and candidate wear red as a symbol of the holy spirit. The sponsor also stands up with the candidate to support him or her in his or her decision to become a full adult member of the Catholic church. [back to the top]

Do I have to choose another name if I want to be confirmed?

Most of the time, a Catholic person being confirmed chooses a saint's name to add to their given name as a celebration of the new life he or she is taking on by becoming a full member of the Catholic Church.

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