Confirmation

Confirmation is the final Sacrament of Initiation in which Candidates receive a deepening of baptismal grace and, armed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, become full adult members of the Church.  Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ, increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us and gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action.  

In order to lead Candidates to a more intimate union with Christ, and make them more familiar with the Holy Spirit and to make Christians more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1309) the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese has designed a year-long program including prayer, fellowship, retreat and study.  Students typically participate in the program during their freshman through junior year of high school.  The program also includes a period of reflection following Confirmation.