Confirmation
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What is Confirmation?
Confirmation, like the other sacraments is a unique encounter with Jesus. In this encounter, our longing and desire to serve as Christ’s soldier is blessed by Jesus with an outpouring of the life and gifts of the Spirit.
In Confirmation we are spiritually equipped to join Jesus on the battlefield, to share the Good News, to make present the Kingdom of God, to fight for God’s glory and to fight for the salvation of souls; i.e. join Him in His Mission.
Viewing confirmation with the lens of conflict, strife, combat, and battle captures a certain quality of the Christian life and our participation in Jesus’ Mission that is easily overlooked or forgotten. Christ came to save the world, to unite His people in perfect everlasting union with the Trinity in Heaven, and give us a foretaste of this union here on earth. This is a Mission worth fighting for.
The effects of confirmation on the christian
- Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and His gifts as at Pentecost.
- An increase and deepening of baptismal grace.
- Renders our bound with the Church more perfect.
- Gives us special strength to spread and defend the faith.
- “By this sacrament the Holy Spirit endows them with special strength so that they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith, both by word and by deed, as true witnesses of Christ” (Lumen gentium, 11; cited in CCC 1285)
- The confirmed catholic “shares more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit” CCC 1294
PROCESS TOWARDS CONFIRMATION AT THE CHURCH OF ST. MAX
For starters one must be a baptized Catholic, because confirmation strengthens the relationship with Jesus started at baptism.
When one receives this sacrament it is crucial that the recipient is already living the graces of the other sacraments.
It is important that one attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, but also frequent confession (the encounter with the Mercy of God) so as to restore our relationship with God once damaged by sin.
Confirmation equips us to be on the mission of Jesus. Thus a desire to share Jesus with others must be present in addition to a desire to deepen relationship with Jesus and Holy Mother Church.
Confirmation is also received within a Parish community. The youth seeking confirmation is to be a registered and involved member at the Parish (one who is known and serves within our Parish). The Archdiocese sets our age requirements. They are grade level 8th through 11th Grade; you have the freedom within this window. Participation in the Rescue Project with a parent is one of the best ways to prepare for reception of the sacrament.
All the above is facilitated by setting up a meeting of parent and child with Andrew to personally tailor preparation towards confirmation. Other things to keep in mind
- Participate in the Rescue Project (a parent must also attend)
- we have three opportunities this Fall (Wednesday morning, Thursday evening, and Friday night). Sign Up HERE
- Be sure to choose a Confirmation Saint
- Don't forget to choose a Confirmation Mentor
- If you were baptized at another parish you will need to ask them to send us a recently issued sacramental record (no sooner than 6 months prior to reception of the sacrament).
- Our dates for 2023-2024 are Nov 11th at the Cathedral (10am Mass) & May 20th at the Cathedral (7pm Mass) but other dates can be possible.
Confirmation for AdultsOccasionally, for various reasons, an individual has not been confirmed while in his/her childhood or youth. Adults who are not yet confirmed are invited to call the parish office to make arrangements to celebrate this sacrament.
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