“Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N with your Holy Spirit; empower him/her for your service; and sustain her/him all the days of his/her life”.
from the Book of Alternate Services
These are the words used by our Bishop, as he/she places his/her hands on those who desire to confirm or renew the commitment they made, or had made for them, at their Baptism. This sacrament is known as Confirmation.
In the case of those who were baptized as infants, the policy of our Diocese encourages young people to have reached at least the age of 15 prior to Confirmation. Confirmation is an act of commitment following discernment that the time is right. It is not a rite of passage that should happen at a particular age. Each candidate will have an individual experience of God’s presence and action in their life and so will come to Confirmation at the appropriate time. Confirmation involves a time of preparation, study, discussion, and reflection.
Adults of any age are encouraged to consider Confirmation or to make a Reaffirmation of their baptismal vows at any time in their life journey.
Confirmation is an episcopal office and can only be celebrated when the Bishop visits the parish or the larger region. Typically Confirmation is celebrated at St. John’s (or one of the parishes in our geographical area) once every two-three years. If you wish to explore the possibility of Confirmation, or Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, or wish to be formally received into the Anglican Church from another denomination, please contact the Parish Office and our clergy will be happy to discuss this decision with you.
Contact: St. John’s Parish Office for more information.
