The sacrament of confirmation
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. Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life. A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs (Catechism 1316–1317, 1319).
What is the effect of Confirmation? The effect of Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost. This outpouring impresses on the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism. It roots the recipient more deeply in divine sonship, binds him more firmly to Christ and to the Church and reinvigorates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in his soul. It gives a special strength to witness to the Christian faith (Compendium, 268).
Who can receive Confirmation? Only those already baptized can and should receive this sacrament which can be received only once. To receive Confirmation efficaciously the candidate must be in the state of grace (Compendium, 269). |
What is the importance of Confirmation? Saint Pope Paul VI writes about the "specific importance of Confirmation for sacramental initiation, by which the faithful as members of the living Christ are incorporated into him and conformed to him through Baptism and through Confirmation and the Eucharist. In Baptism, the newly baptized receive forgiveness of sins, adoption as children of God, and the character of Christ, by which they are made members of the Church and for the first time become sharers in the priesthood of their Savior. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation those who have been born anew in Baptism receive the ineffable Gift, the Holy Spirit himself, by whom they are endowed with special strength. Moreover, having been signed with the character of this Sacrament, they are more perfectly bound to the Church and they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith, both by word and by deed, as true witnesses of Christ. Finally, Confirmation is so closely linked with the Holy Eucharist that the faithful, after being signed by Holy Baptism and Confirmation, are incorporated fully into the Body of Christ through participation in the Eucharist (Saint Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution Divinae Consortium Naturae).
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For further reading...
For more information on Confirmation, consider reading the following:
- The Holy Spirit by Peter Kreeft (Catholic Information Service) [PDF]
- Baptism and Confirmation by Peter Kreeft (Catholic Information Service) [PDF]
- The Gifts of the Holy Spirit by Father Peter John Cameron, OP (Catholic Information Service) [PDF]
- The Sacrament of Confirmation by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila [HTML]
- Saint Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution Divinae Consortium Naturae [PDF]
Adult Confirmation
Our Lady Queen of Heaven welcome you to the preparation for this sacrament of Initiation into the Catholic Church.
We recognize that as an adult, you bring a wealth of life experiences to this process. Please be assured that we want
to offer an opportunity to deepen your faith in Our Lord and your commitment to your parish.
To Get Started
Registration/Fees: The form can be downloaded by clicking the button below. The fee is $30. Make checks payable to Our Lady Queen of Heaven.
Baptism Certificate: We need a copy of your Baptism certificate if you were not baptized at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. Contact the parish where you were baptized and request that a form be mailed to you. Our office only needs a copy.
Marriage Issues: If you are married but the ceremony was not in a Catholic church, your marriage needs to be validated prior to your receiving Confirmation. If this is your second or more marriage and there was no annulment of the first marriage you would need that process. Send an email and we can get you started on the paperwork required for either situation.
Parish Membership: Because you are an adult, you should be a registered adult member. If you are still listed under your parents or if you never have registered contact your parish and fill out the forms. Remember that membership entails contributing to the support of the community through your time and /or financially. If you are a registered member but not at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, we need a letter from your pastor giving permission for us to celebrate Confirmation with you.
Confirmation Sponsor: You will need a Confirmation sponsor; a fully initiated adult who will support the candidate on this faith journey. The requirements to be a sponsor are listed on the form available on the website. Please have both your sponsor and their parish complete the form and return it to my office.
We recognize that as an adult, you bring a wealth of life experiences to this process. Please be assured that we want
to offer an opportunity to deepen your faith in Our Lord and your commitment to your parish.
To Get Started
Registration/Fees: The form can be downloaded by clicking the button below. The fee is $30. Make checks payable to Our Lady Queen of Heaven.
Baptism Certificate: We need a copy of your Baptism certificate if you were not baptized at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. Contact the parish where you were baptized and request that a form be mailed to you. Our office only needs a copy.
Marriage Issues: If you are married but the ceremony was not in a Catholic church, your marriage needs to be validated prior to your receiving Confirmation. If this is your second or more marriage and there was no annulment of the first marriage you would need that process. Send an email and we can get you started on the paperwork required for either situation.
Parish Membership: Because you are an adult, you should be a registered adult member. If you are still listed under your parents or if you never have registered contact your parish and fill out the forms. Remember that membership entails contributing to the support of the community through your time and /or financially. If you are a registered member but not at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, we need a letter from your pastor giving permission for us to celebrate Confirmation with you.
Confirmation Sponsor: You will need a Confirmation sponsor; a fully initiated adult who will support the candidate on this faith journey. The requirements to be a sponsor are listed on the form available on the website. Please have both your sponsor and their parish complete the form and return it to my office.