Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of Baptismal grace. It roots us more deeply in the diving filiation which makes us cry, “Abba! Father! It unites us more firmly to Christ. It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. It renders our bond with the Church more perfect. It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross (CCC 1303).
Just as our bodies and minds grow, Catholics believe that our souls need to grow in the life of grace. Just as the human body must grow in childhood, adolescence, and then adulthood, the human soul needs to grow into maturity. It builds on what was begun in Baptism and what was nourished in the Holy Eucharist. It completes the process of initiation into the Christian community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead. Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and your destiny. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and gave them courage to practice their faith. The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism together with the laying on of the minister's hand and the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit".
If you are an adult who is seeking more information on how to become a member of the Catholic Church, or if you are a baptized Catholic who never received Confirmation, please check out The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). There you will find good information on what that process is and also contact information.
If you are visiting our site because your child is approaching eighth grade, or a little older; and you want to know the process for your child to receive Confirmation, welcome! We know what a busy and exciting time this is for your family, and we want to continue to assist you in raising your child in the faith and prepare them to make their faith their own. You can find all of the information on eighth grade Confirmation in our Faith Formation tab.
