The ritual for the Sacrament of Confirmation did not exist before the 3^rd Century but there is evidence in Scripture that the Apostles did lay their hands on converts. Bishops also, usually anointed or imposed hands on new converts. These actions are often associated with the Holy Spirit and the Sacraments of Initiation. The current thinking on the Sacrament of Confirmation is that it constitutes a process by which the Spirit brings the believer to full union with the Christian community. Confirmation renews and strengthens the baptismal call to bear witness to Christ and to work toward the mission of Christ.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of the baptismal grace. By the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as true witnesses of Christ, the confirmed are strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith in word and deed.¹⁴

1. Parents of youth in the parish, who are in ninth grade or above, should register for the Confirmation classes in the Spring of the year or during the faith formation registration period.

2. Classes are held during the course of one year.

3. Candidates for the sacrament are expected to be present for these classes and perform the activities assigned.

4. Candidates and their parents are asked to choose a sponsor, who is a practicing Catholic, leads a life in harmony with the faith and is not bound by a canonical penalty. The Baptismal Godparent may also be a choice.

5. The bishop is the ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

6. A Bishop at the St. Paul Cathedral or the Basilica of St. Mary celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation during the liturgy of the Mass.

For registered members only: Grade 9 (10^th, 11^th, & 12^th are also welcome). The preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation affects the student in all phases of their development: moral, spiritual, and social. The program's vision is to form the whole person as they are led into full participation of the Catholic Christian Community. Thus their initiation, which began at Baptism, is completed. Now they begin their life as a full member of the Church.