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With Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacrament of Confirmation constitutes the set of “sacraments of Christian initiation”, whose unity must be safeguarded. Those baptized by the sacrament of Confirmation are more perfectly bound to the Church. They are enriched with a special power from the Holy Spirit and in this way they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed, as true witnesses of Christ.
Confirmation provides growth and deepening of baptismal grace:
Like Baptism, of which it is the consummation, Confirmation is given only once.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285.1303-1304
The minimum age chosen by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (or Confirmation) is: 14 years old. However, for non-baptized people over 7 years of age who are preparing for Baptism, they will receive all the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at once.
For those who are at catechism age, instruction is given in catechism itself. Only once the individual feels prepared and in true conscience, should they present themselves to the parish priest in readiness to receive Confirmation.
For adults who would like to be confirmed, a catechetical group will be formed to better prepare them for the celebration of Confirmation.
We commonly speak of the sacrament of “Chrismation”, a word that signifies “anointing”. And, in effect, through the oil called “sacred Chrism” we are conformed, in the power of the Spirit, to Jesus Christ, who is the only true “anointed One”, the “Messiah”, the Holy One of God. The word “Confirmation” then reminds us that this Sacrament brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: it unites us more firmly to Christ, it renders our bond with the Church more perfect, and it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith, … to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of his Cross (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1303) 1.303).
For this reason, it is important to take care that our children, our young people, receive this sacrament. We all take care that they are baptized and this is good, but perhaps we do not take so much care to ensure that they are confirmed. Thus they remain at a midpoint in their journey and do not receive the Holy Spirit, who is so important in the Christian life since he gives us the strength to go on. Let us think a little, each one of us: do we truly care whether our children, our young people, receive Confirmation? This is important, it is important! And if you have children or adolescents at home who have not yet received it and are at the age to do so, do everything possible to ensure that they complete their Christian initiation and receive the power of the Holy Spirit. It is important!
Naturally it is important to prepare those being confirmed well, leading them towards a personal commitment to faith in Christ and reawakening in them a sense of belonging to the Church.
Confirmation, like every Sacrament, is not the work of men but of God, who cares for our lives in such a manner as to mould us in the image of his Son, to make us capable of loving like him. He does it by infusing his in us his Holy Spirit, whose action pervades the whole person and his entire life, as reflected in the seven gifts that Tradition, in light of the Sacred Scripture, has always highlighted. These seven gifts: I do not want to ask you if you remember the seven gifts. Perhaps you will all know them…. But I will say them on your behalf. What are these gifts? Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. And these gifts have been given to us precisely with the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. I therefore intend to dedicate the catecheses that follow those on the Sacrament, to these seven gifts.
When we welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts and allow him to act, Christ makes himself present in us and takes shape in our lives; through us, it will be he — Christ himself — who prays, forgives, gives hope and consolation, serves the brethren, draws close to the needy and to the least, creates community and sows peace. Think how important this is: by means of the Holy Spirit, Christ himself comes to do all this among us and for us. That is why it is important that children and young people receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us remember that we have received Confirmation! All of us! Let us remember it, first in order to thank the Lord for this gift, and then to ask him to help us to live as true Christians, to walk always with joy in the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
In Portugal you may receive the sacrament of confirmation from the age of 14. However, those celebrating Baptism who are over the age of 7 will also receive Confirmation and Communion.
Assiduous participation in parish catechesis is required for children and adolescents. Once it has been established, through dialogue with the catechist and parents, the child is prepared, he/she will be presented to receive Confirmation.
Adults receive specific instruction throughout the year for the celebration of Confirmation. This is usually held every year.
For children and adolescents, the date of Confirmation is the same as that of Baptism, that is, on Easter Sunday in one of the parish masses.
For adults, the date of Confirmation will be set each year (normally after Easter) in accordance with the agenda of the bishop, who will preside over the celebration.
Generally confirmation is celebrated at the main Parish Church.
Any questions or requests for information should preferably be presented to the parish registry office, in order to obtain the most appropriate response.
Click here to learn about the rules in force at the Patriarchate of Lisbon regarding the celebration of the Sacraments.
