CONFIRMATION

The rite or sacrament of Confirmation is a proclamation of faith by a baptized person when they reach an “age of reason.”

ROMAN CATHOLIC CONFIRMATION

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ to sanctify grace and the strengthening of the union between the soul of man and God. The sacrament is usually administered by a priest. In rare circumstances, it is acceptable for a priest to administer the sacrament of Confirmation.

The sacrament of Confirmation was separated from the sacrament of Baptism as a way to reestablish direct contact between the person and God. In 1932, the order of initiation” Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments, allowed for Confirmation to be administered after first Holy Communion. This is a common practice in the modern Catholic Church, as Confirmation typically takes place between the ages of 10 and 16.

Like Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation marks the recipient permanently. As such, it is impossible to receive the sacrament twice. Confirmed individuals are special witnesses of the strength of the Holy Spirit and spread the faith by providing witness to God’s grace. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church the Sacrament of Confirmation “renders our bond with the Church more perfect.”

In some societies, Confirmandis pick a Confirmation name. This name is an adopted name of a saint with whom the Confirmandi feels a spiritual connection. This tradition is not mentioned in the Rite of Confirmation and the name does not affect civil law.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH CONFIRMATION

Unlike Roman Catholicism, confirmation is not a specific sacrament as named in the Thirty-Nine Articles; however, many Episcopals count it as a sacrament. According to the Book of Common Prayer, the Episcopal Confirmation consists of: a candidate renewing the promise and vows of their baptism, laying on of the hands by the bishop, and prayers by the bishop calling on God to give the Holy Spirit to the confirmed.

The Church of England has set no specific age restrictions for Confirmation. This is at the discretion of individual diocese.

LUTHERAN CHURCH CONFIRMATION

For most Protestant churches, confirmation is called a “rite” as opposed to a sacrament. Confirmation is usually a symbolic gesture of conferring divine grace. Not all Protestant religions practice the rite of confirmation.

Lutheran confirmation is a procession of faith. This Proclamation is an affirmation of baptism and marks a completion of the church’s program of confirmation ministry in which there is careful instruction of the Lutheran faith.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CONFIRMATION

The United Methodist church views confirmation as a rite where baptized individuals recognize God’s grace and embrace becoming a disciple of His teaching. It is the first public affirmation of God’s grace and acknowledges the grace by faith. While confirmation usually occurs during adolescence, it may occur whenever a person is ready to profess their faith.

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