Sacrament of Confirmation

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Together with Baptism and Eucharist, the Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation, and the beauty behind this wonderful sacrament is remarkable! In Confirmation, we perfect the grace we received at Baptism, unite ourselves more fully to Jesus Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation "gives us a special strenth of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross" (CCC 1303).

Any baptized person may, and should, receive this sacrament. Because Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are so deeply united, Christian initation is incomplete without the reception of Confirmation (CCC 1306). This connection is made visible during the celebration of Confirmation, which occurs during the Eucharistic litrugy, and includes the renewal of baptismal promises. During the essential rite of Confirmation the candidate is anointed with sacred chrism (oil) through the laying on of hands and the words, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1300).