When Pentecost day came around, they had all met together when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit …”.
Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-3

'From the time of the apostles, in fulfilment of Christ's will, imparted on the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the firts elements of Christian initiation. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church. CCC 1288.

Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name 'Christian', which means 'anointed' and derives from that of Christ himself whom God 'anointed with the Holy Spirit.' CCC 1289

After the homily, the priest invites the children and their parents to stand.

Celebrant: My dear children, in Baptism God our Father gave you the gift of eternal life and called you to be his sons and daughters. He has continued to show his love for you in so many wonderful ways. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he had forgiven your sins and helped you to row in holiness. In the Mass, he had fed you with the Body and Blood of his Son, the heavenly food which strengthens and sustains you as you continue your journey of faith. Now, through the Sacrament of Confirmation, he wishes to pour out upon you the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that you may be his faithful witnesses. These gifts are the same as those poured our upon Our Lady and the Apostles on the first Day of Pentecost. Through you, the Lord will bring a new Pentecost to his Church. Are you willing to accept this call from God to become a disciple of Jesus, his Son?

Children: We are.

Celebrant: Parents, on the day of your child’s Baptism you accepted the responsibility of training them in the practice of the faith. You made it your duty to bring them up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbour. Will you continue to be examples of faith to them, encouraging and supporting them with your prayers, as they prepare to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Parents. We will.

The priest invites the teachers and catechists to come forward.

Celebrant: Teachers and catechists, it is your special privilege and joy to guide, inspire and enlighten these children as their initiation into the family of the Church is completed. Through your teaching, and the example of your own lives, will you help them to become Christ’s faithful disciples and witnesses of the Gospel?

Teachers and catechists: We will.

The priest invites the people to stand.

Celebrant: My brothers and sisters, will you pray for these children and their parents, as they respond to God’s call, and joyfully make them welcome within our community?

All: We will.

Celebrant: May God, the almighty Father bless Ë these children, whom he has already adopted in Baptism. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit which will be poured out upon them, may he strengthen, confirm and empower them to do hi will. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: Let us now make the Profession of Faith together.