The Sacrament of Confirmation

The sacrament of confirmation is when a catholic receives a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit to confirm their faith. Catholics believe that through this occasion, the Holy Spirit increases their ability to practice the Catholic faith in all aspects of their lives.

Requirements for this Sacrament

  1. A Baptized Catholic
  2. Active and Practicing Catholic
  3. Freely choose and desire to deepen oneself in the faith.
  4. Selected an Active and Practicing Catholic Sponsor 
  5. Attend Confirmation Preparation Classes

Scriptures:

When they arrived there, they prayed that the believers would receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them. And they received the Holy Spirit.
An example of the Liturgy of this Sacrament

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Confirmation Important?
Confirmation, one of the sacraments of initiation, deepens our baptismal call and strengthens our relationship with Jesus Christ. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed at confirmation, we are better equipped to contemplate and understand the purpose and plan of God and our role in the community of the Church.
What is the typical age to recieve confirmed
The answer varies and one should seek guidance from their local pastor. It is recommended that the person be mature and above the age of reason. Since this deepening of ones faith, it should be the individual’s choice and not that of the parents.
What is the role of a sponsor
A confirmation sponsor is a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and who will guide you and share the Catholic faith with you. The sponsor symbolizes the greater community’s role of supporting you in your faith life.
What are the requirements of a sponsor
  • Must be a Catholic who is baptized and confirmed
  • Must be 16 years of age
  • Must regularly practice the faith
  • Must have undergone their own Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation.
  • The candidate cannot be a parent, stepparent or guardian of the one they are looking to represent, nor their spouse.
Can my sponsor be one of my parents?

No, the sponsor is similar to and needs to meet the same requirements of a Godparent, chosen at Baptism.

Can my sponsor be my God Parent
Absolutely and preferred. However, it is recongnized this is not always practical.