Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation, together with Baptism and the Eucharist, comprise the three Sacraments of Initiation.  Confirmation is the second Sacrament in the theological order of reception.  This Sacrament completes Baptismal grace,  unites the recipient more perfectly with the Church and enables him with a special grace, to witness to Jesus Christ.  Therefore, the Confirmed Christian is more seriously obliged to spread and to defend the faith.  While some Protestant traditions have maintained the celebration of Confirmation, none have retained Holy Orders which is necessary for valid Confirmation.  Orthodox Christians however, do have a valid Confirmation (which they call Chrismation).  Therefore, most Christians and all newly baptized persons at least 7 years old will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation when they are received into the Church at Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church.

Children of Catholic Parents

The custom at Our Lady of the Atonement is to retain the theological order of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion).   Baptized Catholic children reaching the age of reason (7 years old) will make their first Confession, then receive Confirmation and their First Holy Communion at the annual Confirmation Mass where the Bishop or his representative comes to confer this Sacrament.  Children attending the Catholic Atonement Academy will receive their sacramental preparation as part of the regular school day.  Other children of parishioners will receive their preparation through the Atonement Religious Education program.  If your child is beyond the 2nd grade, you must ensure the coordinator of religious education knows that your child requires preparation for Confirmation (and if not already received, First Holy Communion).  For more information about our Religious Education program, please contact [email protected].

Children of Non-Catholic Parents Seeking Full Communion in the Catholic Church

Children of parents seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, who will have reached the age of reason by the time they enter the Church will generally receive Confirmation and First Holy Communion with their parents.  However, a number of factors such as the age and disposition of the child, the timing in terms of the opportunity for the child’s preparation, etc. may suggest that Confirmation should be delayed until adequate preparation can be conducted.  The pastor will discuss such circumstances with the parents and determine the best course of action for the child in each family’s case.  The coordinator of the Adult Inquiry program will ensure the parents are put in contact with the correct persons and will facilitate this discussion with the pastor.  For more information or to sign up for the next class, please contact the coordinator for the Adult Inquiry class at [email protected].

Adults Seeking Full Communion, Already Baptized in a Non-Catholic Christian Tradition

Adults baptized in a non-Catholic, Christian community who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church will generally receive Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the same Mass at which they make their profession of faith.  The process at Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church is for the inquirer to attend a semester long program we call the Adult Inquiry Class.  The inquiry class coordinator will assist inquirers who choose to proceed with the process for coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. For more information or to sign up for the next class, please contact the coordinator for the Inquiry class at [email protected].

Adults baptized in the Catholic Church

Adults baptized in the Catholic Church who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation will receive their necessary preparation in the Adult Inquiry Class.  For more information or to sign up for the next class, please contact the coordinator for the Inquiry class at [email protected].

For more information, see our tutorial on Confirmation.