Confirmation

WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?

Confirmation completes the Sacrament of Baptism, whereby the recipient receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, becomes a solder of Christ and is marked with the indelible seal of Confirmation. 

Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation, along with Baptism and Eucharist. Together, they bring the recipient into full initiation with the Church as a spiritually adult Catholic.

In Confirmation, we are sent as full disciples in mission to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the same way the Apostles were sent out on that first Pentecost. There is something life-changing when we encounter a living, true and personal Jesus.  We can no longer be the same as we were before. That experience can happen for each confirmandis, as he/ she prepares for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”  Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4

WHEN IS CONFIRMATION AT ST. FRANCIS?

Youth in the seventh grade that are attending St. Francis Faith Formation will begin preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  In eighth grade, those preparing will receive immediate catechesis for the Sacrament during the eighth grade Faith Formation year.  Confirmations are administered either by the Bishop or a priest receiving special delegation from the Bishop.  At St. Francis, youth Confirmations are usually administered in the spring.

ADULT CONFIRMATION

There are occasions that an adult may have missed the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation while they were younger.  St. Francis has developed a series of classes to prepare an adult to receive the Sacrament.  This preparation is designed for those adults who are practicing Catholics, have been baptized and received their First Communion, but have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Adult Confirmation preparation is now being scheduled.  Please call the parish office at (813) 681-9115 for additional information or to express your interest in our Adult Confirmation program.  You may also send us an email at [email protected] and we will contact you about our Youth or Adult Confirmation preparation.