The Candidates should be in their seats at least ten minutes before the hour fixed for the Service to commence. The Female Candidates should wear a white veil or white cap, fastened by ribbons, or otherwise, without pins.

While waiting, Candidates may engage in silent prayer, or read over to themselves some or all of the Psalms for Whitsunday, viz., Psalms 48, 68, 104, 145.

The Service will begin with Hymn 349, "My God, accept my heart this day," (or 270, "Soldiers of Christ, arise"). Then the Bishop will Address the Candidates, after which he will bid them stand up and answer the three following questions. The answers should be made by each aloud, and with a distinct voice.

I.

DOST thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?
Answer. I DO.

II.

DOST thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?
And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; and that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead?
And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholick Church; the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body; and everlasting life after death?
Answer. I DO.

III.

DOST thou promise to obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?
Answer. I DO.

The Bishop.

OUR help is in the name of the Lord;
Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Bishop. Blessed be the name of the Lord;
Answer. Henceforth, world without end.
Bishop. Lord, hear our prayers.
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

The Bishop. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins; Strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength; the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear now and for ever. Amen.

Then, all kneeling, shall be sung or said Hymn 157, “Come, Holy Ghost.” After this, the Candidates, first the Males, then the Females, will be confirmed kneeling successively before the Bishop, who will say:—

N. or NN., I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, and I lay my hands upon thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Defend, O Lord, this thy Child [or this thy Servant] with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come into thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Then shall the Bishop say,
The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.

And (all kneeling down) the Bishop shall add,

Let us pray.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

And this Collect.

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 make our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants, upon whom (after the example of thy holy Apostles) we have now laid our hands, to certify them (by this sign) of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that, through thy most mighty protection both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn 280 or 271.

Then the Bishop shall bless them, saying thus,

THE blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen.

After the Service is over, let the confirmed, after silent prayer, go quietly home.

The numbers of the Hymns are those in Hymns Ancient and Modern.