THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

        

Confirmation is the second of the Sacraments of Initiation and celebrates and confirms the grace of the Holy Spirit received in Baptism through a further grace of the Holy Spirit to assist its recipients in their growth to spiritual maturity.

It confers the gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgement, Courage, Reverence, and a spirit of Wonder and Awe, while opening its recipients to grow in the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The Sacrament is usually conferred by the Bishop through the imposition of hands and anointing with the Oil of Chrism, using the words: “Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. In exceptional circumstances Confirmation may be conferred by a priest delegated to do so by the Bishop.

While in some parts of Australia Confirmation is conferred before or together with First Communion (Eucharist), in Melbourne the practice is to confer Confirmation while the recipients are in Year 6 or beyond at school.

Preparation for the reception of this Sacrament takes place once a year. Enrolment and the provision of a copy of the Baptism Certificate are required. Please contact the Parish Centre for further information.