What are the Sacraments of Initiation?

The sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—lay the foundations of every Christian life. “The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.” CCC 1212

What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?

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.

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.

In the Western Church, a candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.  (refer to CCC 1316-1319)

Although Confirmation is sometimes called the “sacrament of Christian maturity,” we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth.  In our parish, students are normally confirmed in the fall of their junior year, as directed by the Diocese of La Crosse.  This follows a period of two years of Confirmation formation.  Please visit the Religious Formation page for more information on Confirmation as a youth.

Adults who have not been confirmed may inquire about the process to be received in the Catholic Church through OCIA, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.

For a really great explanation of the Sacrament of Confirmation, check out The Catechism in a Year podcast by Ascension Press.  It can be found on YouTube or on most podcast platforms.  Days 175-179 explain what the Catechism says and what the Church teaches about Confirmation.