Confirmation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist, is part of coming into the Catholic Church. Confirmation completes a journey started by Baptism, and is important for all Catholics.
As Catholics, we believe that Jesus promised us the help of the Holy Spirit. By becoming Confirmed in the Catholic Church, we are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and can share our beautiful faith with the world.
Catholics who have been baptized may receive Confirmation. Confirmation classes for children and teenagers vary from parish to parish. Teenagers may go through classes in high school. Children may also prepare for Confirmation along with their First Eucharist preparation.
Father at 608-782-7557, extension 3.
At Pentecost, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send the Advocate to strengthen his followers. That first outpouring of the Holy Spirit was dramatic to say the least: a strong driving wind, tongues of fire, the sudden ability to speak foreign languages and, within hours, the conversion of 3,000 people. But the spiritual power of that ancient event is still available to us today! Indeed, the sacrament of Confirmation in its own way, “perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church” (CCC #1288). Just as the apostles laid hands upon baptized Christians to give them the fullness of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 8:17), so their successors do for us. Through the anointing with sacred chrism, the laying on of hands and the words of the confirming bishop, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,” we too are given the supernatural strength to be courageous witnesses to Christ. This sacrament of initiation, which completes the graces of baptism (cf. CCC #1285), also nurtures in us the precious gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord (cf Isa 11:1-3). Equipped with these heavenly tools, we can go forth to live our faith wholeheartedly, and to proclaim it without fear.
“While thy body is anointed with the visible ointment, thy soul is sanctified by the Holy and life-giving Spirit.”
St. Cyril of Jerusalem