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Additional reading: Read The
Reverend David Tate's account of his experience of
confirmation
If you have been
baptised (christened) it would have been said in the
service that you would come to be confirmed and to make
your own public profession of faith alongside other
candidates, using the form of words in the Confirmation
Service.
Confirmation is a
ceremony where the Bishop lays hands on the head of a
candidate who has been baptised (as an infant or as a
believer) and wishes to become a communicant member
(taking Holy Communion) in the Church of England. The
Bishop prays that the candidate will receive the power
of the Holy Spirit. The apostles themselves prayed for
people with the laying on of hands to receive the power
of the Holy Spirit.
The candidate
confirms the baptism vows which in many cases were made
by parents and godparents when the candidate was a
baby.
The Bishop confirms
that the candidate is accepted as a member of the Church
of Christ.
In the service
Confirmation candidates affirm their faith in Christ.
They renounce the devil and all evil and declare that
they turn to Christ as Saviour and Lord.
The Bishop prays
over each candidate: “Confirm, O Lord, your servant
[Name] with your Holy Spirit.” Then he prays: “‘Defend,
O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace,
that they may continue yours for ever, and daily
increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until they
come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.’
Traditionally
confirmation candidates range in age from early teens up
to old age.
If you would like
to find out more or you wish to be confirmed, get in
touch with the Rector, Rev Tony
Higton as soon as possible. |
