Confirmation
Ceremonies for 2023 - TBC
Confirmation in the Faith
Confirmation celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles chapter 2, verses 1 to 13, we read of the Apostles receiving the Holy Spirit. They had been hiding after Jesus' death, afraid and uncertain. The coming of the Holy Spirit with his gifts inspired them and enabled them to take the step of preaching the good news.
We become members of God's family at Baptism. At Confirmation, our Baptism is completed or "sealed" by the Holy Spirit and we are called to be Christian witnesses, just like the apostles. The whole of our Christian living and the life of the Church, too, are sustained by the same Spirit.
Who can Recieve?
Any baptised Catholic wishing to advance on the path of developing their faith. For young people, this is usually part of the 5th/6th class primary school programme.
For adults who were not confirmed as children, it means taking part in the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A)
Sponsor
A sponsor stands behind the candidate for Confirmation at the Confirmation ceremony and places their hand on the shoulder of the candidate as a sign that they will support them in living out their baptismal promises. However, the role of the sponsor is not just for one day. The sponsor undertakes to assist the confirmed person in growing in the fulness of their faith and in their membership of the Catholic Church. A person qualifies as a sponsor by being a reasonably mature adult, who is at least 16 years old, and has already received the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) themselves. The Confirmation sponsor may be one of the people who was a godparent at Baptism.
Choosing a sponsor
(Ref. Code of Canon Law 874) To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must: be appointed by the candidate, or by the parents or guardians, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister;
to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;
be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made; be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;
not be either the father or the mother of the candidate.
Name
The tradition of taking a new name at Confirmation emphasises the new identity of a Christian being called to witness to their faith. The name taken should be the name of a saint or a person from the Bible who inspires them in some way.
Oil
The oil used is called the Oil of Chrism. It is olive oil mixed with balsam that is blessed by the bishop and priests of the diocese in the Cathedral at the 'Chrism Mass' on Spy Wednesday. The Sacrament is conferred with the anointing with this 'Oil of Chrism' on the foreheard as the Bishop says 'Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit' .