The Sacrament Of The Holy Spirit
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptised person is ‘sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’ and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
The Mission And Witness Of The Confirmed
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighbourhoods, society and the world. Through Confirmation, our personal relationship with Christ is strengthened. The Holy Spirit bestows seven gifts – wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe in God’s presence – to assist us in our mission and witness. The impact of these gifts accompanies us in the various stages of our spiritual development.
Copyright © Irish Episcopal Conference 2014
Further reading: Chapter 16 (pp. 224 – 232) Irish Catholic Catechism for Adults
Confirmation is the Sacrament of Christian commitment and is given to help us develop a deepening of the faith into which each one of us was baptised.
The Sacrament of Baptism welcomes us into the Church and we are born spiritually. The Sacrament of Confirmation supports us as mature members of the Catholic Church. With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we become witnesses of Jesus in the world. It is in this sense that Confirmation supports us in our spiritual “growing up”.
Preparation for Confirmation takes place in the schools in Primary 7.
Children who attend non-Catholic schools should complete the Sacramental Preparation Programme before they can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Contact us if you require more information.