Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is a mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Confirmation is the rite in which we are strengthened for service to the Church and to others and sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is a Sacrament of Initiation for Catholics and a Sacrament of faith in God’s fidelity to us. It is received only once in one's lifetime; it is not a repeatable moment.
“Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.” – (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1316)
As we look forward to this final year of preparation for Confirmation, we share these words from Pope Francis. May God bless our families as they grow in faith together during this special time!
“Remain steadfast in the journey of faith, with firm hope in the Lord. This is the secret of our journey! He gives us the courage to swim against the tide. Pay attention, my young friends: to go against the current; this is good for the heart, but we need courage to swim against the tide. Jesus gives us this courage! There are no difficulties, trials or misunderstandings to fear, provided we remain united to God as branches to the vine, provided we do not lose our friendship with him, provided we make ever more room for him in our lives. This is especially so whenever we feel poor, weak and sinful, because God grants strength to our weakness, riches to our poverty, conversion and forgiveness to our sinfulness. The Lord is so rich in mercy: every time, if we go to him, he forgives us. Let us trust in God’s work! With him we can do great things; he will give us the joy of being his disciples, his witnesses. Commit yourselves to great ideals, to the most important things. We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for little things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals, my dear young people!” – Pope Francis, from his homily on April 28, 2013 – Holy Mass and Conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Peter’s Square.