24 pilgrims who will be confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI himself at the Final Mass on Sunday 20 July, will never forget their WYD08 experience.

The sacrament of confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church that marks the completion of baptismal grace.

"The sacrament [of Confirmation] is life changing and to receive the sacrament in this way will prove an unforgettable experience, one that they will each carry with them for the rest of their lives," WYD08 Coordinator, Bishop Anthony Fisher, OP says.

Each newly confirmed pilgrim will then receive the sacrament of Holy Communion from the Holy Father later in the Mass.  

The fourteen Australian candidates for confirmation will represent the eight states and territories of Australia. Aged between 16 and 43, the list of the Australian candidates to be confirmed is:

Patrick Barrett (New South Wales);

Belinda Frame (New South Wales);

Shannon Kyrwood (Western Australia);

David Proudlock (Western Australia);

Bernadette Kosandiak (South Australia);

John Low (South Australia);

Alexandra Karagiannakis (Tasmania);

Emily Jade Marsden (Tasmania);

Matthew Reuter (Victoria);

Judi Robinson (Victoria);

Bernardo Caballero (Queensland);

Joanne Richards (Queensland);

Riordan Wang (Australian Capital Territory);

Tasman Gould Heyes (Northern Territory).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), gives the full history of the sacrament. It also explains the process, necessity and symbolism in full.

For the link to this information in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, click here.

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