Project Description
Confirmation
Flowing from Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation is a real affirmation of a belonging to Christ that began on the day you were baptised. In Confirmation the Bishop seals that gift of faith and anoints you for mission – to be good news for the world; to be a sign of the living, loving presence of Christ in our world. As the apostles were sent out to preach good news on the day of Pentecost, so the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those who are confirmed is a real strengthening and a commissioning to go out to be like Christ.
The Holy Spirit comes upon you through the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism so that you might shape and fashion your life upon Christ and grow to become like him in the way you think and speak and act. Confirmation is an opportunity to affirm all that was handed onto you on the day you were baptised, to stand up and profess your faith and your desire to live like Christ.
There is always a period of preparation before we receive any of the Sacraments. Confirmation is no different. There are three or four months of preparation. This is simply a time to consider what is being asked of you, what is required of you and to help you to consider what it is you seek in your desire to follow Jesus. The time of preparation is always a time of prayer and reflection, too; it is not about information but formation – allowing yourself to be shaped by Christ, opening yourself up more and more to him.
Am I on my own?
Never! There are always others to walk with you and to accompany you in the decision you make. There are Catechists who are tasked with helping you understand what is being asked of you. They walk with you; they are not there just to teach you things, but to set you an example of what it means to walk with Jesus. You will also have the company of all those others who are seeking to be confirmed. They bring a wealth of encouragement and a real sense of enthusiasm, too.
If Confirmation is something you seek and something you desire, have a word with the priest at St John’s and let’s see if those next steps couldn’t be made.