Many young people and sometimes, even their parents think of the Sacrament of Confirmation as a graduation ceremony.  The reality is, Confirmation is not the end, it is only the beginning of a life committed to Christ and His Church.  Let us look at what the Church teaches us about the Sacrament.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “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.” (CCC 1316)“Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that “the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time,” for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete.” (CCC 1306)

Young people who have not yet been confirmed should enter the parish Religious Education Program and adults who have never received the Sacrament can enter the R.C.I.A. program.  More information about the preparation process is available through the parish office at 401.884.4968.