What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation, which also includes Baptism and Eucharist. It unites us more fully with Jesus, in whose life we begin to share at Baptism.

Confirmation is the celebration of being sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence, wonder and awe. These gifts strengthen us to be witnesses to Christ and live His mission in our world. To signify this, the individual to be confirmed renews his or her Baptismal promises and the Bishop, who is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, lays his hands on the head of the Confirmandi. The laying on of hands is used often in Catholicism, an outward sign of the invocation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Then, the Bishop anoints the Confirmandi with holy chrism as a sign of consecration.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Counsel
• Fortitude (Courage)
• Knowledge
• Piety (Reverence)
• Fear of the Lord (Wonder & Awe)

Are you ready to be Confirmed?

If your teenager or emerging adult is ready to begin preparing for Confirmation, please contact the parish office.

If you are an adult interested in full initiation into the Catholic Church, please contact the parish office for more information about the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA), or visit our Initiation for Adults page for more information.