Confirmation

When we are baptized the stain of original sin is washed away and we are brought into the family of God. But if this is the case why is confirmation necessary? Just like a child must go through school and graduate in order to welcomed into the fullness of adult life, confirmation is necessary to initiate a baptized person into the fullness of the Christian life! This is why the Catechism states, "It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace." (CCC 1287)

Just as it would be an unjust to expect a child to work and pay taxes or to expect a child to complete their final exams without ever going to school, as Catholic Parents it would be unjust to expect our children to face the trials and responsibilities of the Christian life without the graces of the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is because, “by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they
are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (CCC 1287)

In the Old Testament God would anoint individuals who were called to his service. God's anointing both signaled God's favor and empowered the individual to fulfill their calling. In the the book of Exodus the tribe of Aaron had to be anointed before they could carry out their priestly role of offering sacrifice before God (Exodus 28:41). Prophets were also anointed before carrying out their ministry. We see this in the book of 1 Kings where God commands his prophet Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor (1 Kings 19:16). Finally the Lord anointed the kings of Israel. A good example of this is how David is anointed king as a young man (1 Samuel 16: 13).

How does this apply to Confirmation? Through our baptism we participate in the life of Christ. Jesus was Priest, Prophet, and King. So through our baptism we all are made priests, prophets, and kings. In the Sacrament of Confirmation we are anointed! The Catechism states, "The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration...By this anointing the confirmand receives the “mark,” the seal of the Holy Spirit...This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial [The Final Judgment]." (CCC 1294-1296)

Confirmation begins long before the Confirmation Mass. It begins with formation. Just like if you want to run a marathon you have to train, if someone is going to be confirmed they need to prepare for this great Sacrament. There are two elements to this preparation the first is what happens at home. St. Anne's has a number of great resources for you and your child to go through to prepare them for their confirmation. The second in meetings at the church. There will be 4 meetings that your family will be required to attend in order to prepare for confirmation. The dates and times for these meeting are on the confirmation registration page which can be accessed via the link at the bottom of the page. 

The Confirmation will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Paul which is the seat of our Archdiocese. In accordance with the longstanding tradition of the Church, Archbishop Hebda will preside over the confirmation mass, anoints the confirmand, and lays his hand upon their head.