Sacrament of Confirmation

"Recall then that you have received the Spiritual seal, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of right judgment and courage, the Spirit of knowledge and reverence, the Spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with His sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed His pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts." (St. Ambrose)

Confirmation is one of the oldest sacraments of the Church. In the book of Acts the Apostles laid their hands on believers so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. This rite of laying on hands became connected to Baptism, and the two formed one rite. My children were baptized as infants, so the laying on of hands has delayed until an age of maturity (the Church usually considers that to be between the ages of 12 and 16)  to make their own, mature confession of faith. Today my daughter receives the Sacrament, and will be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Today, just as in the Early Church, our Bishop will lay his hands on her head and he will pray for the Holy Spirit to fill her with grace and strength.

It so happens that our Bishop is retiring, so his schedule has caused us to be in a neighboring Parish, not our own.  Oddly enough this is the Parish I was confirmed in, and my wife and I were married there.

By the sacrament of Confirmation, she as a baptized adult is more perfectly bound to the Church and I firmly believe that her life will be enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Words fail me, I am so happy and proud of her.

Defend, O Lord, your servant, with Your heavenly grace,
that she may continue Yours for ever, and daily increase in
Your Holy Spirit more and more, until she comes to Your everlasting kingdom.
Amen.

Comments

[Texas in Africa]

Thanks for sharing this special event in your family's life. May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts now and forevermore.

[Bryan]

What a special time in your daughter's life. Heather and I were confirmed just a couple of years ago as adults and found it to be powerful and moving.

I wrote about this special time on my blog. I just went back and read that post. It reminded me of those words the bishop prayed over each of us: "Defend, O Lord, your servant _____with your heavenly grace, that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to your evelasting kingdom. Amen."

Thanks for helping me remember. Peace.

[Monk-in-Training]

Thank you very much, Rachel.
I was also confirmed as an adult, and found it to be a profoundly moving experience, that I remember some 27 years later.
Both of my two older children are now confirmed when they were 17/18. I think that is a better time, than when they are 12/13. It is a more powerful and meaningful rite.

My oldest son talks about it once in a while, as a commitment that is important to him! I am blessed and happy that he attends Church (no nagging from me!) while he is away at University.

[Rachel]

Blessings to your whole family as you join your daughter in this ancient and beautiful sacrament.

I was confirmed as an adult and have found it was far more powerful than I ever expected.