Confirmation
The Third Sacrament of Initiation
"By the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptised are … as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PARA 1285
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation and serves to "confirm" a baptised person into the Catholic faith.
A bishop or priest normally performs the rite, which includes the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing and the anointing of the forehead with chrism (holy oil) with the words, ”Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit”.
In so "sealing" that person as a member of the church, the outward rite of confirmation signifies the inner presence of the Holy Spirit, who is believed to provide the strength to live out a life in the Catholic faith.
At what age can someone be Confirmed?
Confirmation is an essential building block of faith, and a maturing of our relationship with God.
It is conferred on people old enough to understand its significance, usually around 13 years of age.
What is the process?
At St Mary’s Confirmation is generally prepared for in the Parish through the months of September and October, with the celebration of the Sacrament towards mid-November.
Candidates in Year 9 of Secondary School who have attended Mass regularly for at least a year and live within the Parish boundaries are invited, early in September, to request an application form which they should complete and return, accompanied by a letter to the Parish Priest explaining why they wish to be Confirmed.
They are asked to produce their Baptismal Certificate and to undertake to follow the Preparatory Course faithfully.
Adult Confirmation
Adults who have not been Confirmed are able to arrange with the Parish Priest to be prepared with appropriate instruction and be Confirmed with the Candidates at the same Mass of celebration in November.