¡Ven, Holy Spirit, Ven!
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
Confirmation reminds us of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit was poured into the believers (Acts 2:1–4) and gave them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms the person during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits.
Confirmation calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the church for building up the community in loving service. (U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults)
In the Archdiocese of San Antonio, youth and adults can receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
2024 Parish Confirmation Masses
Confirmation Sponsors
What an honor it is to be a Confirmation sponsor, a companion in the journey of faith, representing the community!
Each Confirmand (person preparing to receive the sacrament) should have a sponsor who will accompany them in their journey of faith. The confirmation sponsor guides the one confirmed to act as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfill the duties of the sacrament. The sponsor guides the Confirmand with words of encouragement and with his/her personal witness of faith and life. It is preferable for the godparent from baptism to serve as sponsor. However, another person may also serve as sponsor.
To be a Confirmation Sponsor, a person:
- should be 16 years of age or older and be sufficiently mature in his/her faith commitment and actively expressing it within the Catholic community;
- must not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed (Canon 874);
- need not be the same gender as the candidate;
- must belong to the Catholic Church and be fully initiated, having received Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Canon 874);
- knows the candidate and is able to help him/her on the spiritual journey, sharing faith and modeling the life of a mature Catholic;
- encourages the candidate to grow in a faith relationship with Jesus;
- assists and encourages the candidate with the study and practice of the Catholic faith;
- accompanies the candidate, where possible and appropriate, in Confirmation preparation and the Confirmation Liturgy.
Contact
To inquire about the sacrament of Confirmation for you or a loved one, please contact your neighborhood parish. Click here to find a parish near you.
Resources, Forms, and Sacramental Guidelines
Sacramental guidelines for Confirmation, resources and forms can be found on the Resources page, Forms, and Guidelines, Recommendations, and Polices pages.
