Confirmation

For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. (John 6:27)

At confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirm our baptismal promises. Greater awareness of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop.

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)

Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we renew our baptismal promises and commit to living a life of maturity in the Christian faith. As we read in the Lumen Gentium (the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) from the Second Vatican Council:

Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of confirmation, [the baptized] are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength; hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ. (no. 11)

Scriptural Foundation for Confirmation

In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. While baptism is the sacrament of new life, confirmation gives birth to that life. Baptism initiates us into the Church and names us as children of God, whereas confirmation calls us forth as God’s children and unites us more fully to the active messianic mission of Christ in the world.

After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles went out and confirmed others, showing confirmation to be an individual and separate sacrament: Peter and John at Samaria (Acts 8:5-6, 14-17) and Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:5-6). Also the Holy Spirit came down on Jews and Gentiles alike in Caesarea, prior to their baptisms. Recognizing this as a confirmation by the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded that they be baptized (cf. Acts 10:47).

Confirmation of High School Teens

(For registered parishioners of St. Thomas More, only)

In the Diocese of Corpus Christi, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year program, usually beginning in the 9th grade with Confirmation taking place during the 10th grade year; however, 11th and 12th graders may also participate in the preparation. In the early church and even today, the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist - were given all at one time to adults, but for those baptized as infants, these sacraments have been spaced apart to offer more time for being instructed and growing in our Catholic faith. You have already received Baptism and Holy Eucharist, and now you are responding to the grace and invitation of God to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation and to complete your initiation into the Faith community of the Catholic church. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, you will be more closely united with Christ, bound more firmly to the church, strengthened with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and sent forth to spread the Good News by word and example.

Each baptized Catholic has the right and the obligation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. However, the person seeking this Sacrament must make it a personal choice and opportunity to commit themselves more completely to Christ and the Church.

In order to be properly disposed to receive Confirmation, the candidate must:

1) be baptized and be willing to renew the promises of baptism;

2) exhibit an active faith life and knowledge of what the Church believes;

3) participate in the sacramental life of the Church, especially going to Sunday Mass;

4) be willing to commit to active participation in the parish Confirmation catechesis;

5) be willing to respond to the call of each Christian to active service to others;

6) be willing to continue to learn and grow in faith following Confirmation and throughout his/her lifetime.

Confirmation Year I

(usually 9th grade or first year of preparation)

The Confirmation preparation classes take place on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the RCIA room. Candidates must attend all classes. Three excused absences will be allowed with a parent note. They must also attend and participate in the LifeTeen (Youth Group) program on Sundays at least three times a month.

Confirmation Year II

(usually 10th grade or second year of preparation)

During Year II, all candidates for Confirmation, must participate in the weekly preparation classes. Classes are on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the RCIA Room.

During Year II, Confirmation candidates will be required to do the following:

1) be in class on time each week and be prepared for class by completing assignments. Only three excused absences will be allowed with parent note; three tardies equal one absence.

2) attend and participate in the LifeTeen (Youth Group) program on Sundays at least three times a month.

4) participate in the one-day Confirmation retreat to be offered prior to celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation.

5) complete ten approved 20 service hours and one parish service project.

6) pick a patron saint for Confirmation and write a report on that saint.

7) each write a letter to the Pastor stating why he/she wants to be confirmed.

Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation

1) Confirmation will take place in the spring. The date will be announced as soon as the Bishop publishes his schedule.

2) A copy of each candidate’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate should be turned in at registration or be on file no later than October 1st; this includes students baptized at St. Thomas More.

3) Each candidate must choose the name of a patron saint for Confirmation; this needs to be finalized by the beginning of the second semester prior to Confirmation.

4) Each candidate must pick a Confirmation sponsor. This person must have received all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist), cannot be the parent of the child, must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the church, and must have their pastor's recommendation. Sponsor forms will be given out to parents at the parent meeting and should be on file one month

prior to Confirmation.

5) Candidates and sponsors must attend a rehearsal prior to Confirmation.

Click here to view the Youth Ministry page and download the registration form.