Confirmation Sacramental Preparation
At Confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirm our baptismal promises. Greater awareness of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop.
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine affiliation, 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. (CCC 1316)
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, we renew our baptismal promises and commit to living a life of maturity in the Christian faith. As we read in the Lumen Gentium (the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) from the Second Vatican Council: Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength; hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ. (no. 11)
Scriptural Foundation for Confirmation
In the Acts of the Apostles, we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. While baptism is the sacrament of new life, Confirmation gives birth to that life. Baptism initiates us into the Church and names us as children of God, whereas Confirmation calls us forth as God’s children and unites us more fully to the active mission of Christ in the world.
After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles went out and confirmed others, showing Confirmation to be an individual and separate sacrament: Peter and John at Samaria (Acts 8:5-6, 14-17) and Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:5-6). Also, the Holy Spirit came down on Jews and Gentiles alike in Caesarea, prior to their baptisms. Recognizing this as a Confirmation by the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded that they be baptized (cf. Acts 10:47).
Confirmation Sacrament Preparation
Confirmation Sacrament Preparation is for students in Grades 7-9 and typically consists of classroom instruction and discussion, service to the parish and community, field trip, retreat attendance, and written assignment. Class time is Sunday mornings between the Parish Masses. Classes are held at Our Lady’s Academy.
Sacramental Information Sheets need to be filled out for each student receiving the Sacrament. Please be prepared to submit a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate if your child was not baptized or made First Communion at Our Lady’s.
Confirmation Service
Service to others in the spirit of charity and good will is an important part of the Confirmation program. Each candidate must complete three acts of community service to the Parish. Filling of Holy Water Bottles for Easter Services; Turkey-Rama Fundraiser in November and Christmas Caroling at Waltham Crossing is an example of three. There are other opportunities throughout the year as well.
Confirmation Retreat
All Confirmation candidates must attend a Retreat prior to being Confirmed. If they cannot attend the Retreat that we will host here at Our Lady’s, the Religious Education office will help direct you to another Parish hosting a Retreat. The date of the Retreat is scheduled for Sunday, March 21st from 9:00am to 3:00pm at Our Lady’s Academy. Please mark your calendars now. More information to follow.
Written Assignment for Grades 8 and 9
Eighth and Ninth graders are required to submit a short essay (one or two pages) that will be submitted to the Bishop who will be Confirming our students. Candidates will be given more information during class time.
Confirmation Sponsors
All Confirmandi need to choose a sponsor for their Confirmation. The sponsor must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic however the sponsor cannot be a parent. Students should consider a Godparent as a sponsor because of the connection between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Also, students should consider the following traits when picking a sponsor:
- The person is faithful to attending Sunday Mass and receiving sacraments;
- Living witness to the Catholic faith;
- A person of prayer;
- Aware of responsibility to follow Jesus in service to others;
- Someone who knows you well and whom you know well.
“The sponsor must be a confirmed Catholic living a life in harmony with the Catholic Church.” (Code of Canon Law, canon 874).
