“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” - Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as it was once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

1. It roots us more deeply in our identity as children of God the Father.

2. It unites us more firmly to Christ.

3. It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us (Wisdom, knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Courage, Piety, fear of the Lord)

4. It renders our bond with the Church more perfect.

5. It gives us special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

To learn more about the Sacrament of Confirmation, read the Confirmation section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Click here for more information about Confirmation.