Can I get a second chance at confirmation?

[xAlisonx]

hi, everyone.

this is an absolutely incredible website, and i’m having an amazing experience so far. praise Jesus! i have no doubt that God has led me to this website for a reason. thank you so much – all of you – for being such amazing people and for being such a warm, welcoming, faithful and holy community.

i have a question regarding my Confirmation. i was Confirmed on february 9, 2006, at the age of thirteen, but at the time i considered myself an atheist, so obviously i was not receptive to the Gift of the Holy Spirit, and obviously, i felt no different. i actually didn’t give my heart to Jesus until november 22, 2007, after three years of depression, anxiety, cutting, suicidal thoughts and gestures and one attempt, and i only recently returned to the precious Catholic Faith after a year as a nondenominational evangelical Christian. my question is – was my Confirmation a waste? will i forever have to live with the regret of knowing that i could have received a glorious Sacrament in faith, but didn’t, because of my suffering and atheism at the time? is there any possibility that i could receive a ‘second chance at Confirmation,’ or any other way to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit? i’d really appreciate an answer to my question, as i know i need the Holy Spirit’s help, guidance and comfort, especially now as i’m struggling in my spiritual life after recently returning to Catholicism, and if there’s no possibility for ‘a second chance at Confirmation,’ how else can i receive the Holy Spirit’s help? thank you so much for considering my question, and if you can answer me, i’d really appreciate it. thank you so much.

love,
in the peace and love of Christ,
alison xx

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

Thank you for your kind words and inspiring story - and welcome home to the Catholic Church! It sounds like you’ve done a lot of growing up these last few years.

For the sacrament of confirmation to be conferred validly, the recipient must at least have the *intention *of receiving it. It would seem that you, an atheist at the time, did not have the necessary intention of receiving the sacrament, so you did not validly receive it. But don’t worry! While confirmation cannot be repeated, it can be conferred *conditionally *in a case such as yours. I recommend that you contact your pastor about this.