Confirmation

Confirmation is the point in the Christian journey where individuals affirm for themselves the faith into which they have been baptised. In this confirmation of the promises made on their behalf at baptism, they undertake adult responsibility for their Christian life.

This affirmation is confirmed through prayer and the laying on of hands by the confirming bishop. The Church also asks for God’s grace, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to enable the newly confirmed, along with all Christians, to live in the way of Jesus.

In the past, confirmation typically occurred around the age of 12, allowing those confirmed to participate in Holy Communion. Now that children are admitted to Holy Communion at an earlier age, confirmation occurs later, from mid-teens onwards. Candidates for confirmation are usually invited to participate in some small group sessions of preparation.