“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you.” (John 14:15-17)

The effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. The original minister of Confirmation is the bishop. (CCC, 1302)

Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. (CCC, 1316)

Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian’s soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one’s life. (CCC, 1317)

The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism, together with the laying on of the minister’s hand and the words: Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. (CCC, 1300)

Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that “the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time,” for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete. (CCC, 1306)

At St Francis Xavier Parish, students who are in grade 9 or higher attend classes to prepare to receive this sacrament. Near the end of the catechetical year, the Bishop of the Diocese of Saint John attends a special celebration to anoint the newly confirmed. Each candidate for confirmation will write a letter to the Bishop requesting to be confirmed in the Catholic faith. They must each choose a sponsor from the faith community to be present at their confirmation. For more information, please contact the office.

Adults may receive the sacrament of Confirmation, by attending the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. If you are interested in this program, please contact the church office.