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Sacraments - Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation

“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.’” (CCC 1285)

 

Confirmation Preparation is a two-year process typically during Grade 9 and Grade 10 including catechetical sessions and additional prayer, service, and/or social opportunities (see info. below).  The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the Spring of Grade 10.  If you are an adult who has not received any Church Sacraments please visit our RCIA page.

The Details

  • Schedule:
    • Grade 9:
      • Sundays AM 10:15 – 11:30 AM  September - May
    • Grade 10:
      • Mondays  6:00 – 7:30 PM   September – December
      • Immediate Preparation is a formal period of preparation a few months prior to the sacrament which occurs January through May 2025. This formal period of Confirmation Preparation includes:
        • Rite of Blessing Mass  (Sunday, February 2nd at 9am OLV Mass)
        • Retreat (Saturday, April 26th 9am-6pm)
        • Reconciliation (Offered during Retreat and regularly throughout the year)
        • Service Opportunities
        • Candidate and Sponsor Workshop (Wednesday, April 2nd at 6:30pm)
        • Chrism Mass (optional attendance, date TBA)
        • Rehearsal (Date TBA)
        • Sacrament of Confirmation (Date TBA)

 

  • Additional Opportunities - Candidates will complete 5 YM Opportunities

    • Our goal is to encourage our youth to know God, be actively engaged in their faith, and become life-long well catechised Catholics.  As they prepare to make the Sacrament of Confirmation, we hope these additional opportunities will enrich their faith. 

    • Sign-Up Genius Link - HERE

        • A reflection form is to be filled out following your child's selected opportunities.  These will be given out during Confirmation Prep sessions.

Click here to download the 2024-2025 Faith Formation Registration Form. Please mail or turn in your form and payment to:

                              Our Lady of Victory

                              55 North Lake Avenue

                             Troy, NY 12180

If registering by mail, remember to include the registration fee ($65 for 1 child | $120 for 2 children | $165 for 3 children | $170 for 4 or more children).  If you have a child making a sacrament (First Reconciliation/First Eucharist or Confirmation) there will be an additional $25 Sacramental Prep fee.

Contact:

Matt Levine | Youth Minister

youthministry@olvols.org | (518) 273-7602 ext. 102

Caitlin Levine | Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

faithformation@olvols.org | (518) 273-7602 ext. 102

 

"Only in Christ can men and women find answers to the ultimate questions that trouble them. Only in Christ can they fully understand their dignity as persons created and loved by God."  —Pope St. John Paul II

 

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The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of seven sacraments that the Catholic Church offers to the faithful as an ordinary means of grace and is also the third and final Catholic sacrament of initiation. However, final Sacrament does not mean that you have arrived at the end of your Catholic journey nor is it a "rite of passage", but, rather, it is a commissioning of your individual vows and promises of your Baptism and the beginning of your lifelong adult faith journey.  With the anointing of chrism oil you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and called to live a life of holiness and obedience to God’s will.  Typically most were baptized as infants and anointed with the same chrism oil at their baptism, but, our parents made our baptism vows for us, promising to teach us the Catholic Faith and to help us grown in the faith.  At Confirmation you will say these vows for yourself.   If you are an adult looking to receive your Sacraments or Confirmation please visit our RCIA Page.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Confirmation is described like this:

“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.’” (CCC 1285)

Taking Confirmation means you are making a serious decision to continue, spread and defend the Catholic Faith, but do not fret, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to come and help the disciples and the Holy Spirit will be there for you too through the gifts that help us on our lifelong faith journey.  The gifts of the holy spirit are:

  • Wisdom – Helps us to rightly order our interpersonal relationships and the centrality of God and his will in our lives.
  • Understanding – Helps us to comprehend the Gospel and the will of God as communicated through his message.
  • Knowledge – The capacity for exploring and pondering God’s revelation along with the awareness that some mysteries of faith are beyond our ability to grasp completely.
  • Counsel – Helps us to choose the path of God when presented with choices that relate to our journey toward him.
  • Fortitude – Also referred to as courage or strength helps us to do what we know is right even when it might be difficult or costly.
  • Piety – Is a strong devotion to God through prayer
  • Fear of the Lord – Is not to be afraid of God, but to be in wonder of his power and might, and to marvel at his majesty.

The blessing that the bishop gives over the confirmands during the Roman Rite of Confirmation encapsulates all of these gifts beautifully

“All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.”
(CCC 1299)

These gifts and your newly sealed vows you are confirming your agreement with the Church's teachings and you will be given the strength to defend and spread the Gospel.  To help you on this journey we will prepare through Catechism, service opportunities with acts of mercy and closer to your Confirmation date, usually in the Spring, there will be an opportunity to go on a spiritual retreat, received confession and prepare for this important step on your spiritual journey.