Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Spirit to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ. As the third Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation brings to completion the grace received through baptism and Holy Communion. By this Sacrament the baptized are more perfectly bound to the church and are enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit. This grace conforms believers more perfectly and fully to Christ and strengthens them to bear witness to Christ for the building up of his body, the Church.
All the sacraments of initiation are celebrated according to the guidelines established by the Code of Canon Law and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The diocese also has established official qualifications and guidelines for all who have been requested to be sponsors at the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The exact time at which Confirmation was instituted is not known. But as this Sacrament was administered by the Apostles and numbered with the other Sacraments instituted by Our Lord, it is certain that He instituted this Sacrament also and instructed His Apostles in its use, at some time before His ascension into heaven.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived there, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for as yet he had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)
“We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.” — Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Qualifications of Confirmation Sponsors:
- Be designated by the candidate, by the parents or guardians, or the pastor.
- Have the qualifications and intentions of performing the role of sponsor.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Be a fully initiated Catholic (having themselves received Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation).
- Lead a life in harmony with the Catholic faith and role of a sponsor (be a member of a parish, provide a letter of eligibility from their proper pastor, attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, not in an irregular and/or invalid marriage, etc)
- Not be bound by a canonical penalty.
- Not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed.
Sponsors for the sacrament of confirmation must abide by the same qualifications as sponsors for the sacrament of baptism. In addition, the following guidelines and/or recommendations apply:
- There is normally one sponsor for the sacrament of confirmation.
- It is recommended that a baptismal godparent exercise the role of confirmation sponsor.
- A non-Catholic may not serve as a sponsor for the sacrament of confirmation. (It is discouraged that the candidate’s spouse serve as confirmation sponsor.
Sophia SketchPad: Confirmation (5:52)
What happens at Confirmation? (5:48)