Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation was instituted by Jesus on Pentecost Sunday when, as promised, He sent the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. (Acts 2: 1-42)
Baptism makes us the receiver of gifts. We can’t receive any of the other Sacraments if we are not Baptized. Confirmation makes us the ‘doer of deeds’. ‘By the sacrament of Confirmation, (the baptized) are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.’ (CCC 1326)
Those who have received instruction and are suitably prepared receive Confirmation and are thus considered adult members of the Church. They are expected to be active in Church ministries and Parish programs.
In the Latin rite of the Church, Confirmation is received after reaching the age of reason when a person is able to renew their Baptismal Vows in order to illustrate that Confirmation is a completion of our Baptism. In the Eastern Rites, Confirmation is received as an infant to more accurately illustrate that Confirmation is a Sacrament of Initiation.
The sponsor at Confirmation act as a witness to the reception of this Sacrament and encourages the candidate to live their commitment as a Catholic to its fullest. The sponsors should themselves be ‘practicing ‘ Catholics.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
