Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is a Sacrament of faith in God's fidelity to us.
The essential element of this Sacrament is the anointing of the confirmand (the person being confirmed) with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a bishop), accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit" (or, in the Eastern Catholic Churches, "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit"). This seal is a consecration, representing that the Holy Spirit safeguards the graces conferred on the Christian at Baptism.
In the Western Church, the sacrament is administered sometime after the "age of reason" (at least seven years old) but in the Eastern Church, it is administered jointly with Baptism and Communion (in the form of consecrated wine) shortly after birth.
The sacrament is administered by the bishop or any priest who has been authorized by the bishop to perform confirmations.
The five effects of Confirmation are:
At The Parish of Saint Mary, Confirmation is usually held in October for ninth grade students, with the exact date being set by the Diocese of Trenton.
For additional information, see Confirmation Preparation
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord