Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. (From the prayer of consecration from the Confirmation Ritual)

The sacrament of confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at baptism. It is called a baptism of fire in which one is confirmed in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8, 2:3).

Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Church. In baptism we are born into new life in Jesus Christ. In confirmation, we are more perfectly united with the Church and receive special strength from the Holy Spirit. In the Eucharist we celebrate the real presence of Jesus Christ, who feeds us in Holy Communion for our journey.

At Saint Alphonsus, confirmation for youths takes during their eighth-grade year. For adults, confirmation takes place during the  Easter Vigil.

The sacrament of confirmation corresponds to sacred practices in the Old Covenant: namely, the laying on of hands and anointing as a means of conveying blessing and consecrating one to God for a special purpose. Through the laying on of the bishop’s hands and anointing with holy oil in confirmation, the Holy Spirit descends, stirring up the baptismal gifts in the soul of the believer.

Confirmation is the public proclamation of our belonging to God and our being anointed by Him to share in the work of His son.