Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is the third Sacrament in the Sacraments of Initiation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the “reception of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace" and "recipients of the Sacrament ‘are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.’” (CCC 1285, 1303, 1830)
“Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community” (CCC 1309).
In the Archdiocese of Atlanta, certain requirements are outlined for the reception of Confirmation. In addition to these requirements, the individual parish in which the Sacrament shall be received may also have certain parameters to follow. Here at Sacred Heart Catholic Church students generally begin the two-year confirmation preparation at the beginning of their 9th grade year.