Sacrament of Confrmation

Preparation for Confrmation emphasises the graces that the Spirit brings. It is intended
that those preparing for this Sacrament would be enabled to see the Spirit working in
their own lives. Children preparing for Confrmation, usually in sixth class in primary
school, often attend a retreat. Preparation also includes an nrolment
Ceremony!Ceremony of light. "he children renew the #aptismal Promises made by their
parents on their behalf when they were infants. $uring the Confrmation ceremony the
#ishop %or the priest representing him& anoints the children with chrism and says the
words '#e sealed with the gift of the (oly Spirit). "he #ishop also lays his hands on the
children in gesture of appointing or sending. "he children are called upon to be active
participants in the Church. *t Confrmation children traditionally make a promise to
abstain from alcohol!drugs for a given time. * Confrmation name is also selected and
traditionally this was a saint)s name. "he websites www.actapublications.com or
www.catholic.org are helpful in fnding saint)s names and useful facts about saints. In
order to maintain the link between #aptism and Confrmation, one of the godparents
usually acts as sponsor to the child.
"he Ceremony of Confrmation has four main parts
+. Proclamation of the ,ord
"he readings for confrmation are chosen to re-ect the help that the (oly Spirit can o.er
the candidates and to remind us and perhaps challenge us to keep and live out the
promises made at confrmation.
/. 0enewal of baptismal promises
,e renew our baptismal promises during the confrmation ceremony to highlight the
connection between baptism and confrmation. In the presence of the community and
with their support and prayers we are confrming the promises made for us at our
baptism. ,e are now saying yes for ourselves to a Christian way of life and the
community is witnessing that and promising to help us as we continue on the 1ourney of
faith. ,e are moving from childhood faith to adult faith.
2. 3aying on of (ands
In 4ld "estament times the laying on of hands was a sign of blessing. It was also a sign
that the person was being specially chosen to do 5od)s work. 6esus laid hands on people
to heal and bless them. "he apostles used the laying on of hands to signify the coming of
the (oly Spirit %*cts 78+9:+;&. $uring confrmation the bishop and priests lay their hands
over the candidates.
9. *nointing with Chrism
"he anointing with oil is a sign that we are being strengthened by the (oly Spirit, that the
gifts of the (oly Spirit are being given to them and that they are being blessed by 5od.
4il was used to anoint priests, kings and prophets in 4ld "estament times. "he chrism oil
used by the bishop at confrmation was blessed by him during the Chrism <ass during
(oly ,eek. "he candidates will be called by the name they have chosen for confrmation.
"he #ishop will then make the sign of cross with chrism on each candidate)s forehead
using the words 'be sealed with the gift of the (oly Spirit.) In doing this he echoes the
words used in the 4ld "estament 'I have called you by name. =ou are mine.) "he Sponsor
stands behind the candidate during the anointing as support and witness.