About Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the two sacraments of initiation. We celebrate this communally with our 8th graders through our religious education preparation program, and with adults at the Easter Vigil with those from our RCIA process.
When we are baptized, we receive – partially – the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation completes those gifts in us. With Confirmation, we are “sealed” in the Spirit.
When one is confirmed, the archbishop will lay hands on the person, and then anoint them with chrism (blessed oil) reserved for just this purpose. The use of oil has a rich history in the Church: it symbolizes (in part) cleansing, healing, and strengthening. In Confirmation, we are strengthened in Christ and in our ability to live an outward Christian life.