Adult Confirmation

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2: 1-4.

Through the sacrament of Confirmation, the candidate receives the Holy Spirit in a special way. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace….’By the sacrament of Confirmation the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.’” CCC, #1285 citing Lumen Gentium #11 Sealed by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the candidate is strengthened for mission to the whole Body of Christ.

In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the minimum age for reception is 16 and a junior in high school. Most teens receive the sacrament prior to completing high school. However, others are unable to celebrate during this time and wish to complete their Christian Initiation at a later age. Special sacrament preparation is available for adults post-college who are ready to accept God’s Grace through Confirmation. Often, candidates wish to be a Catholic baptism godparent or be Confirmed prior to marriage.

All South Shore parishes participate in one preparation program. Preparation sessions are held twice per month from September through December. Topics for the sessions include: Who is Jesus, Church, the Bible, Sacraments, and Prayer life. Celebration for the sacrament is held in one of our parishes. Prior to participation, the participant must be a registered member of one of the parishes and provide a copy of their baptism certificate.