Confirmation
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Be sealed with the gift of the holy spirit
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"Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit in your hearts." St. Ambrose
"Confirmation is the sacrament by which those born anew in baptism now receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father and the Son. Confirmation, as the sealing of the candidate with the Spirit, is linked with the other sacraments of Christian initiation, baptism and the Eucharist." (General Catechetical Directory, par. 11)
Although the sealing of the Spirit is a preparation for the witness of a mature Christian life, it is important to remember that confirmation is not a rite of passage, or a mark of coming of age. Confirmation is the completion of the Christian initiation, the completion of Baptism. In Baptism, Christians are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but in confirmation they are renewed and strenghtened. The fortification of the Holy Spirit's fruits and gifts provides a strong foundation for the confirmed to go out into the world.
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Youth confirmations
Ordinarily, preparation for this sacrament takes place in eighth grade. Young adults in public school need to have been enrolled in Religious Education program for two years prior to the year they are receiving the sacrament. All of those preparing for the Sacrament will attend class sessions biweekly, rehearsals, and a retreat. Confirmation generally takes place in mid-May. Rehearsals will be held prior to the ceremony.
Confirmation Sponsors
For a parishioner to receive a Parish Letter of Good Standing to act as a sponsor for the Sacrament of Confirmation, he or she must call the parish office at (301) 262-2227 to obtain a letter stating that he or she is an active member in good standing at Ascension. He or she must be registered in the parish for 6 months before a request for a Parish Letter of Good Standing can be fulfilled.
If an individual from another Catholic parish wishes to be a Confirmation sponsor for an Ascension student, he or she must obtain a Letter of Good Standing from the parish in which he or she is registered.
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Adult confirmations -- please see the RCIA page
