THE SACRAMENT OF
CONFIRMATION
When
the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify
about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout
Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and
resurrection. (Acts 1:8)
Confirmation
is often called the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit, and it is closely
related to Baptism. In
Baptism we replace the spiritual limitations and flaws of our human
condition with limitless, unending life 
as a member of God’s family.
In Confirmation the hands of the bishop (or priest) are placed on our
heads. He prays over us, and then anoints us with oil.
Once again these external signs signify a powerful spiritual
event taking place within
us. The “laying on of
hands” is an ancient practice, used to invoke God’s power and gifts
on a person. The anointing
signifies that the person is being called to special work and special
status, like Jesus the “Anointed One” of the Father.
In
Confirmation, God continues the work He began at Baptism as we are
filled even more with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
It is a time to welcome the Holy Spirit to work in us more fully
and an opportunity for us to put our personal “Amen,” our emphatic
“Yes,” to what was begun at Baptism.
The Spirit becomes the motivation for our attitudes and actions.
Just as a person with a self-centered attitude acts out of selfishness,
so confirmed Catholics with a loving spirit act out of God’s Spirit.
We sometimes say they are "gifted."
A gift of the Spirit is a charism, a spiritual quality
given by God to serve and build the body of Christ.
Confirmation for the Youth of Our Parish
The
youth of Our Lady of Refuge, ages 14-17, prepare for the Sacrament
of Confirmation by means of a two-year process of shared
activities, community service, education, parish involvement, and
spiritual growth. Their
twice-monthly meetings, under the guidance of a trained parish team,
also provide opportunities for fun, fellowship and personal reflection.
Confirmation for Adults in Our Parish
Sometimes adults, for one reason or another, did not
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation when they were young.
The opportunity is open for them to receive it now.
Youth
If you are a young person (or the parent
of a young person) between the ages of 14 and 17 who wishes to
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, contact our Director of Religious
Education:
Anna
Marie Delgado
(562) 597-3102
E-mail: Religious
Education
Adults
If you are an adult interested in
receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, contact our Office of
Initiation:
(562) 597-3102
E-Mail: RCIA |
Links - Confirmation
If you want to learn more about the
Sacrament of Confirmation, click on the links below:
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