SACRAMENTS
“Christ now acts through the sacraments he instituted to communicate his grace. The sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify.”
THE SACRAMENTS ⸻
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, which lead us into full membership of the Catholic Church. It completes promises made at Baptism, often by parents on our behalf. Current practice in the Archdiocese of Perth is that Confirmation is given to children in Yr 6 or older after suitable preparation. A baptised person who has received First Eucharist may be confirmed. For adults being received into the church, please see RCIA (link tab) for correct details.
Like Baptism, Confirmation can only be given once. In the Rite of Confirmation, candidates renew their Baptismal promises and through the Laying of Hands and Anointing with the Oil of Chrism, the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Baptism are strengthened and sealed. The first Confirmation was when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost ( Acts 8). As each Bishop is a successor to the Apostles, the church has stressed this connection via the Bishop as celebrant unless delegation is given to the Parish Priest. The Oil of Chrism, which is used, is blessed each year by the Bishop, which retains the link between parish and bishop when a delegated priest confers the Sacrament.
REQUIREMENTS
- The parish follows the mandated Archdiocesan policy of family-focused, parish based, Catholic school and PREP supported.
- In the parish of St Vincent, candidates must register with the parish via the Sacrament Coordinator (details below)
- Candidates must be baptised and have already received the Sacraments of Penance (First Reconciliation) and Eucharist ( First Communion)
- Children participate in an approved learning programme, either at a Catholic school in Year 6 class or in the Parish RE Programme (PREP). Classes for PREP are held every Saturday during Terms One to Three.
- Confirmation candidates traditionally choose a Saint who inspires them as their Confirmation name, used in the Rite during Candidates also choose a sponsor/s. Sponsors can be godparents to retain the link with Baptism or another significant person in their lives who will guide them. The sponsor must be Catholic, over the age of 16 and confirmed. Parents can not be sponsors.
- Dates are advised each year, it includes
- General Sacrament meeting for parents,
- Parent/child workshop
- Retreat
- Visit by the Archdiocesan celebrant or Parish priest