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February 12, 2019Confirmation
by Fr. Joseph Evinger
On Sunday, March 3 Bishop David Kagan is scheduled to confirm seven youth at St. Joseph’s Parish in Killdeer. On June 2 during the Catholic Congress at St. Joseph’s in Twin Buttes he will also confirm more youth in the Catholic faith.
As I mentioned in my homily last Sunday quoting the Catechism, 1285, “confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.” This means that one becomes more fully united to God in this sacrament and therefore is “more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”
When Catholics are confirmed they renew their baptismal promises. They reject Satan and sin; they state their belief in God and in his Church. In this sacrament they receive the grace to more fully give their hearts to what they believe. When they open their hearts to Him who is love and truth, amazing things happen to them. All become more fully alive. Taking on a new name signifies the change that happens to the person through this sacrament; Saul becomes Paul. The person receives a new vocation and special grace to spread and defend the Catholic faith.
The Church asks that when a person is confirmed he or she have a sponsor, someone who can walk with the newly confirmed in the months and years that follow. The requirements of the sponsor are as follows:- The person must be baptized, received first Holy Communion and have been confirmed in the Catholic faith.
- Currently living a sacramental life (e.g. attending weekend Mass and Holy Days of Obligation, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation)
- Is not in an irregular marriage according to Catholic Church teaching.
- Be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
- Not be a parent of the person to be confirmed.
Please pray for those who will be confirmed in the coming months.