Confirmation - The Inner Life - April 30, 2025

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Confirmation What is a Sacrament? (5:12) What is Confirmation? What are some misconceptions about confirmation? (13:19) Laura - I'm 57 and converted when I was 19. My mom was Catholic and dad was Lutheran. We didn't have formal RCIA at that time. Feel like I missed something in the process. I did get a certificate of confirmation from the church. My kids are in Catholic school and I've learned so much from them. (20:00) Break 1 Sandra - Born in Mexico. Confirmation and baptism was done at the same time. I just want to make sure that is valid when you don't have full knowledge of your confirmation. (24:20) David - I taught CCD for a number of years. Some weren't interested in becoming confirmed, How is grace confirmed at confirmation when they are accepting it but not really wanted? Katie - I made my first communion in April of the 1960s...three weeks later I made confirmation because the bishop only came every 4 years. (30:46) How is Confirmation a missionary Sacrament? John - I was confirmed in 72. I remember we being nervous. Reaffirming that you had attitudes of people being bored, but others being nervous and perhaps more serious about it. John - I have fond memories about it. I was an altar boy and when I was confirmed I was able to be a lector. Very rewarding. It forced me to learn and study the readings. (40:15) Break 2 Why does the Bishop need to be the one to Confirm people? (44:05) John - Question:  I recently got confirmed but my wife and I were supposed to get convalidated. I was wondering about the process and whether that is true or not. Who can be confirmed? Niki - Confirmed in 2014. Felt so much joy and cried happy tears. Daughter was my sponsor. I became catholic when Pope Francis stepped out on the balcony. Felt the holy spirit tell me I had to become Catholic.