Confirmation
Order of Confirmation, or Admission to the Communion.
¶ Those about to be Confirmed, that is, to receive the Communion of the Church, shall have first received the Sacrament of Baptism; if not in infancy or at some subsequent period, then now. To any such persons, standing in order before the Minister, he shall say:
Dearly beloved, you have come hither to receive the consecration of the Church, and to renew the solemn vow made at your baptism. Renouncing, therefore, the fellowship of evil, will you endeavor to learn of Jesus Christ, and co-operate in the study and practice of his religion?
¶ Each of those about to be confirmed shall audibly answer:
I will.
¶ The Minister shall then say:
Beloved in the Lord, on this your open and voluntary confession of Christ, I welcome you to the communion of his Church. And may God the Father grant that this union, formed on earth, may be continued in heaven, and fit us for the fellowship of the saints in light.
Receive the blessing of the Church.
¶ Then those about to be confirmed kneeling at the Altar, the Minister may lay his hand upon the head of every one severally, saying:
Defend, O Lord, this thy child with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine forever, and may daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.
¶ Then the Minister shall say:
The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Our help is in the name of the Lord;
Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Minister. Blessed be the name of the Lord;
Answer. Henceforth, world without end.
Minister. Lord, hear our prayers.
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
¶ Then the Lord’s Prayer to be said after the Minister; all reverently bowing the head or kneeling.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Minister say the following Collects:
Almighty and everliving God, who makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy divine Majesty; We would offer our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants who have made a public profession of the Christian faith, and expressed their earnest desire and prayer to be enabled to fulfil their duties as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let thy fatherly hand ever be over them: let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them: guide and help, strengthen and sanctify them, we beseech thee; that, by the living bond of obedience and charity, they may be united to thee and thy beloved Son. Amen.
Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall follow this Benediction:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
¶ Here may follow a Hymn of welcome or a Hymn of peace, unannounced.