Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:

1. it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as sons of God] which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";
2. it unites us more firmly to Christ;
3. it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
4. it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
5. it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

If you are a Catholic who previously received the Sacrament of Baptism and First Holy Communion but missed Confirmation as a teenager, consider joining us in preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation! Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation, along with Baptism & Eucharist.

Please contact Jessica Plasphol, Parish Catechetical Leader, at jplaspohl@saintjoe.org or 330-928-2173.

Those that participate will receive the Sacrament December 3 along with our youth who are preparing.

If you are an adult who is seeking more information on how to become a member of the Catholic Church, or if you are unbaptized, please visit contact Jessica Plaspohl about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults or click here for more information about RCIA