Confirmation
“Outpouring of the Holy Spirit” by Jan Luyken & Anonymous, 1712.
“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
The quote above from Acts tells us that even the early Christians understood that baptism and full reception of the Holy Spirit were different events. The latter, marked by the laying on of hands and anointing with holy oil, is what we have come to know as the Sacrament of Confirmation. This Sacrament is given its name by the effect it has on us: it confirms us in the mission of Jesus Christ and gives us the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to carry it out. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (Lumen gentium, 11)
The Sacrament of Confirmation is typically received in the 11th grade year, following two years of preparatory classes in our Parish School of Religion program. Parents seeking to have their children receive the Sacrament are asked to contact Mr. Allen Taylor to register in the program.
For adults who did not receive the Sacrament as youths, we would invite you to take this step in the faith and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Contact the pastor to arrange preparation for and reception of the Sacrament by calling the parish office at 225-383-4127.