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“…[Jesus] breathed on them, and said to them,
‘Receive the Holy Spirit…"
--John 20:22
Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He promised to send us His Spirit (John 16:7-8). We receive this Spirit first at Baptism, and that Baptismal gift is deepened and strengthened when we receive The Sacrament of Confirmation. This Sacrament, instituted by Christ, effects the “special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost” (CCC1302).
Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:- it roots us more deeply in faith in God as our Father
- it unites us more firmly to Christ
- it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us
- it makes our bond with the Church more perfect
- it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit:
--- to spread and defend the faith by word and deed as true witnesses of Christ
--- to confess the name of Christ boldly
--- to never be ashamed of the Cross (CCC1303)
The Sacrament of Confirmation imprints an indelible spiritual mark on the soul, and therefore can only be received once in a person’s lifetime. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop, although a priest is usually granted the faculty for administering Confirmation for catechumens receiving the Sacrament at the Easter Vigil.
If you would like more information about the Sacrament of Confirmation for your child, or if you are an adult and you would like to prepare for this Sacrament, please call the Parish Office at 315-393-3930.
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Why Confirmation?
Why do I have to get confirmed if I’m already baptized? How do I choose a sponsor as I prepare for confirmation? Why do I have the option to choose a new name?
These questions and more are answered in this edition of “Sacraments 101,” a web video series geared for those who’d like an introduction or refresher course on these important, tangible Catholic experiences of God.
Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church, with baptism and Eucharist. Think of it as a personal Pentecost, when we receive the tools we need for our spiritual journey — the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Take a few minutes to watch this video from Busted Halo. -
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