The Sacrament of Confirmation is regarded as the “perfection” of Baptism. It completes a person’s initiation into the Catholic Church.
 
The Church teaches that through it “the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, those confirmed are true witnesses of Christ and more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”
 
Though an important part of Confirmation is when the bishop prays over the confirmands, calling down the Holy Spirit, the most essential part is the anointing with chrism (a perfumed oil blessed by the bishop) accompanied by his words, “Be sealed the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” This seal is a consecration, safeguarding the graces received at Baptism. Confirmation, like Baptism, can only be received once and its effects are: (1) it roots us more deeply as sons and daughters of God; (2) it unites us more firmly to Christ; (3) it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit; (4) it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; and (5) it gives the strength of the Holy Spirit to be true witnesses to Christ.
 
There is the important expectation that candidates worship regularly at Sunday (or Saturday afternoon) Mass.
 
At Christ the King Parish the Sacrament of Confirmation normally takes place in the candidate’s junior year of high school. Monsignor Sullivan teaches the program. Inquiries about entrance into the program can be made to him.

The parish has a special program for baptized and practicing Catholics who have received First Communion but were never confirmed. The program meets on occasional Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the rectory during the late fall and early winter. A retreat day is scheduled for a Sunday in January. The Sacrament of Confirmation for adults is celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McManus at a 3:00 pm Mass on the first Sunday in February each year at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The contact person for Christ the King Parish is Deacon Michael Chase.