Confirmation celebrates the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a baptised person, completing and strengthening the grace given by the Spirit in Baptism. It marks the Christian as a follower of Christ and a full member of the Church.

The following Confirmation Ceremonies will be held in our Parish Church in the New Year for children in schools in the Parish and nearby:

• Carysfort National School: Friday 14th February 2020
• St Augustine’s School: Friday 14th February 2020
• Willow Park School: Saturday 7th March 2020
• Scoil Lorcain: Wednesday 25th March 2020
• Adults requesting Confirmation should contact the Parish Office or the Parish Administrator.

Confirmation is the reception the Holy Spirit, signified by a laying on of hands and an anointing with perfumed oil. It leaves and indelible mark uniting us more firmly with Christ, rendering the bond with the Church more perfect, and giving us the strength of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Faith boldly and to pick up our cross.

Every baptised person is eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. In cases of danger of death it can and should be administered to children, even by a priest. One must be in a state of grace, and should receive the Sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

At Confirmation the Bishop/priest prays that the gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the living out of the Christian life will grow in each person being confirmed. These are the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgement, Courage, Reverence and Wonder and Awe in God’s presence. Growth in these gifts is a lifetime’s experience and leads the Christian to share in the mission of Jesus Christ. Young people preparing for Confirmation are encouraged to be involved in some form of service in their parish.

The decision to be confirmed is not one to be taken lightly, for it involves both faith and commitment.

A sponsor stands behind the candidate for Confirmation at the Confirmation ceremony and places their hand on the shoulder of the candidate as a sign that they will support them in living out their baptismal promises. However, the role of the sponsor is not just for one day. The sponsor undertakes to assist the confirmed person in growing in the fullness of their faith and in their membership of the Catholic Church.

A person qualifies as a sponsor by being a reasonably mature adult, who is at least 16 years old, and has already received the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) themselves.

Name

The tradition of taking a new name at Confirmation emphasises the new identity of a Christian being called to witness to their faith. People are encouraged to take the name of a saint or a person from the Bible who inspires them in some way.

Oil

The oil used is called the Oil of Chrism. It is olive oil mixed with balsam that is blessed by the bishop and priests of the diocese in the Cathedral at the ‘Chrism Mass’ on Holy Thursday. The Sacrament is conferred with the anointing with this ‘Oil of Chrism’ on the forehead as the Bishop says ‘Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit’.