The Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation is the Sacrament which gives us the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It completes the grace we receive at Baptism and helps to make us strong and faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Confirmation requires at least two full years of previous instruction and regular Sunday Mass attendance. This sacrament is normally received here at Sacred Heart in the Spring of the 8th grade. Candidates in grade 8 must have completed the 7th grade curriculum.  A program called the Rite of Christian Inititation for Teens (RCIT) is available for high school teens who would like to be confirmed (or be prepared for any of the sacraments).

Contact

Sister Rose: 845-782-7240

Sacrament of Confirmation

The sacrament of confirmation completes the sacrament of baptism. If baptism is the sacrament of re-birth to a new and supernatural life, confirmation is the sacrament of maturity and coming of age. The real confession of Christ consist in this 'that the whole person submits himself to Truth, in the judgment of his understanding, in the submission of his will and in the consecration of his whole power of love . . . A person is only able to do this when he/she has been confirmed by God's grace.

This confirmation in the power of the Holy Spirit leading to a firm profession of faith has always been the particular effect which Catholic tradition has ascribed to the sacrament. It is effect which complements and completes that of baptism.

The Church Teaches

Confirmation is a true sacrament instituted by Christ and different from baptism. It is administered by laying-on of hands and anointing with chrism accompanied by prayer. The chrism is blessed by the bishop and the bishop administers the sacrament. All baptized persons can and should be confirmed. The effect of the sacrament of confirmation is to give strength in faith and for the confession of faith and to impress an indelible character.