Confirmation and First Communion are important moments in a Christian’s life of discipleship.
Preparation involves a short series of evening (or daytime) talks that provide a background to what the rite involves and why you’re taking this important step. Very briefly, confirmation is an occasion where people profess their Christian faith and receive their first communion.
A short history
In the early days of the Church, baptism and confirmation took place at the same time – normally around Easter time. The rite would be performed by a Bishop, who, after baptism, would extend his hands over the candidate, anoint them with the sign of the cross on the forehead; and pray for the Lord to confirm them with the Holy Spirit.
As the church grew this tradition developed: The priest conducted the baptism and the bishop then came later, for the confirmation.
Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which the participation in the life of God’s people inaugurated at baptism is confirmed by the bishop by the laying on of hands, and in which those who have been baptised affirm for themselves the faith into which they have been baptised and their intention to live a life of responsible and committed discipleship.