Holy Spirit Catholic Church - Virginia Beach, VA

Confirmation

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments which initiate us into the Church.

“Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God’s people. Confirmation signs
us with the gift of the Spirit and makes more completely the image of the Lord and fills
us with the Holy Spirit so that we may bear witness in the world. Eucharist brings us to the table of the Lord for our eternal life and shows forth the unity of God’s people.”
(Christian Initiation, Introduction)

In the early church all three initiation sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) were received at the same Easter Vigil. Through the centuries these sacraments have become separated and administered over a period of years. All three sacraments should be received before celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage and must be received before ordination to priesthood or taking of vows as a sister or brother in religious community.

In the Diocese of Richmond, the Sacrament of Confirmation for youth may be celebrated at the end of the 10th, 11th or 12th grades.
Effective September 2010, our bishop has implemented a new Confirmation program for our diocese.
Anyone interested in preparing for Confirmation must be a member of the parish and enrolled in regular Christian Formation classes.
Confirmation preparation is a separate program.

Clink here for a Q&A on the requirements.
Click here for the three options for Confirmation Preparation at Holy Spirit for 2010-2011.
Click here for a Confirmation registration form.

Adult Confirmation: The parish offers a special catechetical process for adult “confirmands” - those individuals seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation and also are at least 18 years of age. The process is similar to the RCIA process with an emphasis on developing a more intimate union with Christ and a more dynamic relationship through the Holy Spirit so that one assumes greater responsibilities in one’s Christian life and in Christ’s church. Adults who have never been confirmed celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at Pentecost.

Adult Confirmation Information Form

For more specific information on the Sacrament of Confirmation, call:
For Teens: Mary Carr - 463-1901, Nellie Shirley - 473-1634
For Adults: Deacon Bob Durel - 468-3600, ext. 108

All adult Catholics should be confirmed in their faith. 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 Church teaches that: “the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. … By the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.”

The parish offers a special catechetical process for adult confirmands (those individuals seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation). The process is similar to the R.C.I.A. process with an emphasis on developing a more intimate union with Christ and a more dynamic relationship with the Holy Spirit so that one can assume greater responsibilities in one’s Christian life and in Christ’s Church. Typically, the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred on adults at the Easter Vigil, during the Easter season, or on the feast of Pentecost.

Preparation for the sacrament usually takes several months and involves a number of activities:

If you have been baptized but not confirmed, you should contact the parish office or Deacon Bob Durel (468-3600 ext. 108) for additional information. See Adult Formation for more information.