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 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 the sacrament by which those born anew in baptism now receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father and the Son. Confirmation, as the sealing of the candidate with the Spirit, is linked with the other sacraments of Christian initiation, baptism and the Eucharist.” (General Catechetical Directory, par. 11)

Although the sealing of the Spirit is a preparation for the witness of a mature Christian life, it is important to remember that confirmation is not a rite of passage, or a mark of coming of age. Confirmation is the completion of the Christian initiation, the completion of Baptism.

In the Archdiocese of Washington baptized Catholics receive Confirmation in the period of their 7th or 8th grade. Some people, however, for different reasons seek Confirmation at a later age in their life. There are two different preparation programs for the different age groups.
• Youth Confirmation
• Adult Confirmation

Unbaptized or non-Catholic adults receive Confirmation at the same time with their Baptism or reception into full communion with the Catholic Church as part of the RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.