The Sacrament of Confirmation

“They laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:17; 19:6).

Christ’s Words of Institution of the Sacrament of Confirmation:

Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39).

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The gifts of the Holy Spirit given at baptism are enriched and brought to greater fruition in the Sacrament of Confirmation. This sacrament with chrism and indelible sealing of the Holy Spirit “incorporates us more firmly in to Christ, strengthens our bond with the Church, associates us more clearly with her mission and helps us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1316).  The Holy Spirits gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude or courage, counsel, love, fear of the Lord and many more are for the good of the community, to build up the Body of Christ.

The Apostles and disciples locked themselves in the upper room out of fear for their lives. For days, they prayed in anticipation for the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus. On Pentecost Day, the Holy Spirit descended upon them and they were empowered with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  That day, 3000 people joined the Church.  Since then, the Good News has continued to spread to the ends of the earth. From that time onward, confirmation has been celebrated and conferred through the LAYING ON OF HANDS by the apostles and bishops. 

The Bishop is the ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  The power to celebrate confirmation is delegated to the priest, especially during the Easter Vigil and during Reception of a baptized non-Catholic candidate into Full Communion with the Catholic Church.  

Please contact the parish office (407) 932-5004 to learn more about this process.

Important Pastoral Info:

According to the Rule of the Analogy of Faith, Sacred Scripture (the Inspired Word of God, the Bible) and Sacred Tradition – the Communal Faith Experience/Practice of the Church “from the beginning” (1John 2:24; cf. 2Tim 4:3-4) –  can never contradict.  Hence, St. Paul could tell us categorically, 

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter (2Thess  2:15).

In this connection, we provide the following Biblical passage (Acts 2:38-39) and a passage of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1279) to show the unity of our faith and practice about the Sacrament of Baptism “from the beginning”:  

Biblical Reference:

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17; RSV; italic for emphasis on the part about Confirmation).

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said, ‘No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They said, ‘into John’s Baptism’” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them. (Acts 19:1-6; italic for emphasis on the part about Confirmation).

Teaching of the Church

Preparation for confirmation should lead the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit-his actions, his gifts, and his bidding – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life… (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1309)

Conclusion: 

Please, be proud of your Catholic faith, the faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles of Jesus Christ and all Christians from the First Century!  

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18).

“And lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matt 28:20).