Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "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. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." [Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1285]

The sacrament of Confirmation completes and strengthens ours baptismal graces. At baptism, we are given a unique and unbreakable bond with God. This baptismal bond opens us to a life of grace. Confirmation completes and strengthens our baptismal bond and helps us to more fully utilize the graces that God gives us throughout our lives and through the other sacraments.

Any baptized Catholic who is not already confirmed may receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

Confirmation is normally received after the child has reached the age of discretion.

At Notre Dame Parish, confirmation classes start when the child is in the eighth grade.

There are separate classes for adults who were not confirmed.

Please call the Religious Education office for more information.

Catholics have a right and an obligation to be confirmed. At baptism, the Gates of Heaven are open to us. Anyone who is baptized and in the state of grace when they die will go to Heaven. Confirmation strengthens us and helps us from falling off the straight and narrow so that we can and will walk through the Gates of Heaven. Confirmation makes us better Christians. It strengthens our marriages and relationships with each other and with God. We do not have to be confirmed to get into Heaven but confirmation definitely helps us get into Heaven.

Marriage is a sacrament and is a great source of grace to the husband and wife. If one or the other is not confirmed then they are not able to use those graces to the fullest possible extent. Confirmation is the completion of our baptisms and allows us to fully utilize the graces God gives us in our lives. Technically, a person who is not confirmed can still get married but they are putting their marriage at a disadvantage from the very beginning.