The Sacrament of Confirmation

There are seven ritual signs or sacraments in the Catholic church. Baptism and     Confirmation are rites of initiation into the Church. Marriage and Holy Orders are sacraments of commitment and the Eucharist is a sacrament of continuing nourishment (and also considered as part of initiation). Reconciliation and the      Anointing of the sick are sacraments of healing.

Confirmation is a ‘coming of age’ ritual, administered to a baptised person by a bishop anointing the candidate’s head with oil (sometimes a Bishop may delegate to a priest allowing him to perform Confirmations). The sacrament of Confirmation completes the sacrament of Baptism. When we are baptised our godparents and parents make our baptismal promises for us. When we are confirmed, we renew those promises for the first time for ourselves.

Through the sacrament of Confirmation, we make the decision to be an adult member of the Church and we are strengthened with the gifts  & fruits of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to live a life that gives witness to Christ’s presence.

Prayer for Confirmation Candidates

Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people,

So that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent.

Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice.

Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them.

As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make each of us an instrument of Your love.

Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand.

Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example.

 We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.