Sacraments
Confirmation at St Piran's
Deepening our membership of the Church family.
Why are we Confirmed?
The Sacrament of Confirmation
completes the Sacraments of
Initiation - Baptism and the Eucharist
being the other two. We are born anew
by Baptism, receive the food of eternal
life in the Eucharist, and are
strengthened to live as an adult Catholic
Christian by Confirmation.
God's Promise
God’s promise comes to us through scripture &
through the teachings of the Catholic Church:
“.. the effect of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1302)
If you are a parent whose son or daughter will be 14 years or over in the year they would be Confirmed then this leaflet is for you.
When does Confirmation take place?
The Sacrament of Confirmation takes place during the celebration of the Mass in the weeks leading up to Pentecost, the day when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Our Lady + the first disciples.
Who Confers the Sacrament?
The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred by the Bishop of our Diocese. ‘Bishops are the successors of the Apostles. . . the administration of this Sacrament by them demonstrates clearly that its effect is to unite those who receive it more closely to the Church, to her apostolic origins, and to her mission of bearing witness to Christ.
The Role of Parents
Confirmation requires a commitment from the young person, but the Church also asks for a commitment from the family, supported by the help and prayers of the Parish community. Seeing the witness of their parents’ faithful participation at Sunday Mass can be one of the most important factors in the formation of a child’s faith.
You as parents are the first teachers of that faith; but it is not always easy being a Catholic parent within the current cultural climate which so often throws up new challenges and difficulties. The Church recognises the importance of giving help and support to parents in this process, so there are two Parents’ Evenings during the course of the programme for parents to explore important issues related to parenting Catholic teenagers.
Choosing a Sponsor
Sponsors should be chosen on the basis of Christian example and friendship; they should be the kind of people that candidates can go to and discussspiritual and moral issues in their lives. Sponsors must be practicing Catholics; they can be the candidate’s
Godparents, but they can also be someone different, who the candidate wants to support them in their faith journey.
Choosing a Saint’s name
The Catholic Church gives us role models to help and encourage us by their intercession for us as we face life’s challenges, so it is important we think carefully about the Saint that we choose.
www.catholic.org/saints/stindex.php
For Adults
You may be an adult who did not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation when you were younger for whatever reason, and you may now feel ready to take the step. Please do contact the Parish Priest (details on back page) who will be delighted to talk with you.
You may also find it helpful to click on some of the links below which give more information about the Sacrament of Confirmation:
www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3P.HTM
www.newadvent.org/cathen/04215b.htm
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Fear of the Lord
To infuse into our soul a hatred of sin and a wish to never offend God.
Fortitude
To strengthen our soul to be courageous in serving God.
Piety
To enable us to want to please God in all things
Counsel
To discern what the Holy Spirit wants us to do.
Knowledge
To help us to see God in the ordinary events of our life.
Understanding
To gain a deeper knowledge of the mysteries of our faith.
Wisdom
To experience God through love.
Confirmation. . .
brings an increase
and deepening
of Baptismal grace . .
+ It unites us more firmly to Christ
+ It increases the gifts
of the Holy Spirit
+ It gives us a special strength
of the Holy Spirit . . .
+ to spread and defend the faith
by work and action as true
witnesses of Christ
+ to confess the name of Christ boldly
+ to never be ashamed of the Cross