The last sacrament of Christian initiation (after Baptism and Eucharist) is Confirmation. Through the laying on of hands by the bishop, or in some circumstances, by a priest, the Holy Spirit is poured forth to empower us as our Lord’s disciples. We see this demonstrated in the early Church by Jesus’ disciples in the Acts of the Apostles. “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (8:14-17)” Additionally, those receiving Confirmation profess and claim for themselves the faith that was professed for them at their Baptism.
Confirmation ordinarily takes place during a Catholic’s sophomore year of high school. If you are in high school and wish to receive this sacrament, please contact our Faith Formation office at 716-649-0231. If you are an adult who has never completed the sacraments of initiation, please call the rectory to speak with one of our priests.