Sacrament of Confirmation
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Confirmation May 17th, 2024
What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Have you ever wondered why we need the Sacrament of Confirmation? Many of us think of it as “Catholic graduation”. Nothing is furthest from the truth. In fact, Confirmation equips you with a mighty weapon, the Holy Spirit. Think of the Apostles, even though they spent three years with Jesus, were witnesses to His miracles, to His death and resurrection, they couldn’t overcome the fear of persecution. It wasn’t until Pentecost, when they received the Holy Spirit that they were able to do the impossible, go out to evangelize the whole world. They finally had become what God intended them to be.
Where would we be without Pentecost?
The fact that you are reading this, is a consequence of the Apostles being empowered by the Holy Spirit on that Pentecost day. Hospitals and universities were founded by people who were living out the mission of spreading the Good News. Confirmation is a second anointing with the power of the Holy Spirit. It enables us to go out and live the identity of true sons and daughters of God.
Are you ready to take the next step in your faith journey and to be sent out into the world?
If so, you are in the right place. This means deepening your knowledge of the Catholic faith, studying the teachings of Jesus, and reflecting upon your personal relationship with God. Additionally, being ready for Confirmation involves actively participating in the life of the Church, attending Mass regularly, and engaging in service and outreach to others. Make sure to contact Katy Baker to find out what steps you need to take.
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Katy Baker
“But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them.”
FAQs
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If you are baptized, then you can and should receive this Sacrament.
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Only when delegated by the bishop. Following the tradition from the early Church, only Catholic Bishops can celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.
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It’s not mandatory to choose a new name, but just as Jesus changed the name of Simon to Peter and from Saul to Paul, it represents being given a new identity as a disciple of Christ.
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In late 2019, the Archdiocese of Seattle made the transition for the age of confirmation from 11th grade or 16 years of age to seventh grade or the equivalent age.
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A Sponsor must have received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation). If married, a sponsor must be married in the Catholic Church. He or she may not be the candidate's mother or father. A godparent is a good choice.
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Your sponsor must be someone besides your parents. The church prefers that the godparents at baptism serve again as the sponsor at confirmation. You may choose as your sponsor, your brother, sister, godfather, godmother, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend, or neighbor who meets these requirements.
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A confirmation sponsor is a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and who will guide you and share the Catholic faith with you. The sponsor symbolizes the greater community's role of supporting you in your faith life.
Resources
If you need more detailed information on the Biblical roots of the Sacrament of Confirmation, make sure to watch these videos.