Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the Sacrament of Baptism and is the second of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).

In the Archdiocese of Glasgow, it is usually administered for children when the child is in Primary 4, after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and before making First Holy Communion.

Preparation

The core catechesis for the Sacrament of Confirmation takes place in school, but in the parish, preparation sessions are also held on Sundays after 10 a.m. Mass, in the weeks leading up to celebration. These are designated in the Sunday Newsletter, and are intended to foster in the children a sense that they are being initiated into a parish community. Take-home books are prepared by the Archdiocesan Religious Education Department and are normally given out from the local school. (These can also be acquired directly from the Archdiocese.)

Before Confirmation is administered, there must be regular practice of faith, a strong desire to be Confirmed and participation in the preparation programme both at school and in the parish.

Sponsor

The Sponsor at Confirmation is normally one of the Baptismal Godparents and that person must be a practising Catholic. This is because Confirmation is a closer bond into the life and practice of the Catholic community, and the Sponsor acts both as a support to the child, but also on behalf of the Church as one willing to attest to the child's faith and development.

The Sacrament

Another Christian name is usually chosen for Confirmation, usually of a saint to whom the child can look for inspiration, a role model and a partner in prayer.

In Confirmation the child is anointed with Holy Oil of Chrism and receives the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

  * Wisdom

  * Understanding

  * Right Judgement

  * Courage

  * Knowledge

  * Reverence

  * Wonder and Awe

The principal element of the Sacrament consists in the prayer spoken over the candidates and the anointing with chrism, accompanied by the words: "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Afterwards?

A record of Confirmation is kept at the place of Baptism.

Children in p.4 go on to prepare for First Communion, which normally takes place in May (at OLGC usually the last Sunday in May) and completes their initiation into the church. Adults who are confirmed at the Easter Vigil will go on to share in Communion at that same Mass.

At present, the Archbishop has elected to say Mass at the end of p.7 for all children who have been confirmed, to reinforce the second round of catechesis they receive on that sacrament in p.7 and to prepare them for Secondary School. Confirmation is also studied in the s.2 Religious Education syllabus.