Confirmation

"They laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit." - Acts 8:17

Receiving the Spirit through Christ: The Sacrament of Confirmation

The sacraments of initiation “ground the common vocation of all Christ's disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world. They confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit during this life as pilgrims on the march towards the homeland.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1533) Confirmation is the sacrament in which the baptized are strengthened by the Holy Spirit in order to bear witness to Christ and prepare to take on the role of a disciple.

Why do Catholics celebrate confirmation?

Through confirmation, those who have been baptized are strengthened by the Holy Spirit and called to make a stronger commitment to live as witnesses to Christ in their words and deeds.

Confirmation connects us to the larger, global Catholic Church. The bishop leads the faithful in a large geographical area (diocese) comprising many parishes. Through the action of the bishop, those who are confirmed are joined in faith with that larger community. Confirmation reminds us that we belong to the universal Church, and to a local diocese and parish.

At confirmation, we are called to participate fully in the Church’s work and mission – calling all to the love of Christ and taking part in building up the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism by John in the Jordan River, and was sent forth, strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, to do the work of his ministry. Likewise, once confirmed, we are “sent forth” to bear witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection, to serve others as Jesus served, and to be living members of his Church.

Who is confirmed?

Those who have been baptized may celebrate the sacrament of confirmation. Children who were baptized as infants generally celebrate confirmation around age 13, but it can be celebrated as early as seven years old depending on the guidance of the bishop. Adults are confirmed immediately after being baptized.

While bishops are the ordinary minister of the sacrament of confirmation, the bishop may grant priests the faculty. (CCC 1313)

What happens during confirmation?

The rite of confirmation, when celebrated separately from baptism, begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the profession of faith. Then the bishop, who is the usual minister of the sacrament, extends his hand over the confirmand and invokes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Lastly, the confirmand is anointed with sacred chrism oil as the bishop says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (See paragraphs 1297-1301 in the catechism)

Want to confirm yourself or your child?

In the Diocese of Oakland preparation for Confirmation is a 2-year process, for student's 9th thru 12th grade. Students are eligible to sign up in their freshman year of high school. If your child is going to turn 18 during the 2-year Confirmation preparation click here for the Adult Confirmation. Otherwise fill out the form below.