
The Sacrament of
Confirmation, a sealing and strengthening: God’s action in this sacrament
“confirms” the indwelling of the Holy Spirit begun in Baptism. When a baptized
person is confirmed, he/she receives in a special way the gifts of the Holy
Spirit who acts within him/her as a special Light and Guide and helps him/her
to live according to the Gospel and to witness to Christ in the world.
At Saint Luke’s
young adults who were baptized as infants are invited to the Sacrament of
Confirmation during their latter High School years. If the young person
discerns that he/she is ready to re-affirm the faith into which he/she was
baptized, the young person participates in a week-end retreat followed by a
series of faith-sharing gatherings which explore the meaning of our Catholic
faith and it’s implications for living. The Sacrament is usually celebrated for
our young people at a special liturgy presided over by our bishop in the
spring.
Adults who have not
been previously confirmed participate in a program of preparation as part of
the parish R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Adults
participating in the R.C.I.A are usually confirmed during the parish
celebration of the Easter Vigil.
Candidates for
Confirmation choose a Sponsor who is
willing to companion them during their preparation for Confirmation. The
sponsor is a committed Roman Catholic who has received the sacraments of
Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist and who is willing to share his/her faith
with the person preparing for the sacrament.