"On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied." -Acts 19:5-6
Confirmation "confirms", strengthens, and perfects baptismal grace. The laying on of hands is recognized as the origin of the sacrament and as a continuation of the grace imparted at Pentecost. Confirmation imprints an indelible character on the Christian's soul.
The Bishop is the ordinary minister of this sacrament. Since Bishops continue the apostolic succession from the apostles, administration by them "clearly demonstrates the effect to unite people closer to the Church, to her apostolic origins, and to her mission of bearing witness to Christ." The Local Ordinary may give permission for priests to administer the sacrament.
The forehead is anointed with sacred chrism followed by the laying on of the minister's hands with the words, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." The sacrament's connection with Baptism is expressed through the renewal of baptismal promises. The celebration of Confirmation during the Eucharist helps underline the unity of the sacraments of Christian initiation.
High school teens preparing for Confirmation will receive the sacrament in the summer. There is a Mandatory Parent Meeting in the fall that at least one parent from each family must attend in order to register. For a list of requirements and other information, visit the Confirmation Preparation page.
Confirmation Retreat: June 5-9, 2024 at Holy Cross College, South Bend, IN
Confirmation Mass: June 10, 2024 at OLMC Church (Monday, 5pm Mass)
Sponsors for Confirmation must:
• Be 16 yeas of age or older
• Not be the teen's parent - a parent cannot sponsor their own child
• Have reeived the Sacraments of Baptiwm, First Eucharist and Confirmation
• Be a Catholic in good standing with the church, proven with a Letter of Good Standing
Letter of Good Standing
Sponsors must complete and bring to the Parish Office for verification the Letter of Good Standing Form. All sponsors are required to complete this, even is they are an OLMC parishioner.
Letter of Good Standing for Sponsors (English)
Letter of Good Standing for Sponsors/Godparents (Español)
Adults who were baptized in the Catholic Church but never received the sacrament of Confirmation can enroll in the parish Adult Confirmation Preparation Class. Register for Adult Confirmation by emailing Thomas Gallagher at gallaghert@olmc1.org.
Adults involved in the RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) receive the sacrament at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday evening. RCIA is for adults who are either: unbaptized and interested in receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist making them a fully initiated Catholic, or baptized in non-Catholic Christian church and interested in coming into full communion with the Catholic Church by making a profession of faith and receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. For more information, click here.