Confirmation is the Sacrament of Initiation which reinvigorates the grace we received at Baptism as we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Students in grades 9-12 are involved in Confirmation preparation classes. Confirmation classes meet each week, through the end of April. We enjoy dinner together and then class..
Adults who have been baptized and seek initiation in the church participate in the
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program.
The following information is presented to fully inform you about the Sacrament.
“Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the ‘sacraments
of Christian initiation,’ whose unity must be safeguarded. The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For ‘by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.’” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285
“It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special
outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.”
This giving of the Holy Spirit conforms believers more perfectly to Christ and strengthens them
so that they may bear witness to Christ for the building up of his Body in faith and love. They
are so marked with the character or seal of the Lord that the sacrament of Confirmation cannot
be repeated.
PARENTS
The initiation of children into the sacramental life is for the most part the responsibility and
concern of Christian parents. They are to form and gradually increase a spirit of faith in the
children and, with the help of catechetical institutions, prepare them for the fruitful reception of
the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist. The role of the parents is also expressed by
their active participation in the celebration of the sacraments. Rite of Confirmation, 3
Parents should participate in the sacramental preparation of their children:
• by their own continued growth in the Faith; by frequent and conscious participation in the
sacraments, especially Eucharist and Penance; and by prayer
• by ensuring their children’s proper spiritual and intellectual formation in the Faith,
supported by a home and family life actively embodying that Faith
• by being informed of the criteria of readiness for Confirmation and by participating in the
parish catechetical program, in order to assist their children in achieving that readiness
SPONSORS
As far as possible, there should be a sponsor for each of those to be confirmed. Sponsors will participate in the Confirmation liturgy. Canon 892; Rite of Confirmation, 5
These sponsors bring the candidates to receive the sacrament, present them to the minister for the anointing, and will later help them to fulfill their baptismal promises faithfully under the
influence of the Holy Spirit whom they have received. Rite of Confirmation, 5
It is desirable that the godparent at Baptism also be the sponsor at Confirmation. This expresses
more clearly the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation and also makes the function
and responsibility of the sponsor more effective. Canon 893.2; Rite of Confirmation, 5
Nonetheless, the choice of a special sponsor for Confirmation is not excluded especially if the
Baptismal Sponsor is no longer practicing their Catholic Faith. It is for the sponsor to see that the confirmed person acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with this sacrament. Canon 892
To be admitted to the role of sponsor, a person must:
1. have completed the sixteenth year and be sufficiently mature for this responsibility;
2. be a Catholic who has been confirmed, has already received first Eucharist and leads a life
in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
3. not be one of the candidate’s parents;
Sponsors should be chosen because they are willing and able to help those to be confirmed to
fulfill faithfully their baptismal promises under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is also
desirable that sponsors be chosen early .
THE MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION
The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the Bishop; a priest who has this faculty by virtue of
either the common law or a special concession of competent authority also confers this
sacrament validly. Canon 882
BAPTISM AND THE STATE OF GRACE
“A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in
the state of grace,(having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation) have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1319
Proper validation of a candidate’s Baptism is to be provided before the candidate receives the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please request your Baptismal Certificate and present it to the office. You may obtain a Baptismal Certificate from the parish in which you were Baptized. We should receive the Baptismal Certificate two weeks prior confirmation.
INTENTION OF RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT
Proper disposition is evidenced by a personal desire to be confirmed expressed in writing, by the candidate to the Bishop (Father Walsh) at least two weeks prior to the celebration of Confirmation.
AGE OF CONFIRMATION
In the Diocese of Duluth, Confirmation will be conferred on candidates in their junior or senior
year of high school who have been suitably instructed and are properly disposed.
LITURGY / DRESS
Preparation for Confirmation should assist the candidate in developing a life of prayer and participation in the sacraments. Regular active participation in the Sunday Eucharist and reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are central requirements and help determine a candidate’s readiness for Confirmation. Proper clothing is suggested as casual, excluding jeans and t shirts, “the Sunday Best” is appropriate.
CONFIRMATION NAME
The Rite says nothing about taking a new name at Confirmation. Therefore, candidates may retain their baptismal name rather than take a new one. This is desirable because it manifests an understanding of the fact that Confirmation “completes the grace of Baptism.” A special Confirmation name may be taken if desired. Since biblical times a new name has marked a great spiritual event in a person’s life. In this case the name should be that of a saint whose life or virtues the candidate wishes to emulate and to whom the candidate can call upon for intercession.
CONFIRMATION INSIGNIA
There are no insignia for Confirmation as the lighted candle and white robe for Baptism.
The practice in some places of using stoles at Confirmation seems to have arisen out of the
laudable desire to provide a symbol signifying the confirmand’s participation in the life and
ministry of the Church. However, the distinction between the universal priesthood of all the
baptized and the ministerial priesthood of the ordained is blurred when the distinctive garb of the
ordained ministers is used in this manner.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask, Father Steve