Confirmation

CONFIRMATION

 

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is considered a sacrament of initiation, along with Baptism and Eucharist. Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism, strengthens the individual in their faith, and marks them as a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church.

Here are some key aspects of Confirmation:

  1. Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Confirmation bestows the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, as listed in Isaiah 11:2-3: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts are seen as tools to help the confirmed live a Christian life.
  2. Confirmation Name: Typically, those being confirmed choose a saint’s name as their Confirmation name. This is done as a sign of the person’s desire to emulate the virtues of the saint and to seek their intercession.
  3. Confirmation Sponsor: Each person being confirmed chooses a sponsor, usually someone who has already been confirmed in the Catholic Church and is in good standing. The role of the sponsor is to guide and support the person on their spiritual journey.
  4. Rite of Confirmation: The usual minister of Confirmation is the bishop, although a priest can also confer this sacrament if given the permission to do so. During the rite of Confirmation, the candidates renew their baptismal promises and the bishop (or priest) lays his hands on them and prays for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Then, using Chrism oil, the bishop makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one being confirmed and says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
  5. Living as a Witness to Christ: Confirmation empowers the person to live as a witness to Christ in the world. It gives the confirmed the spiritual strength to stand up for their faith and to spread and defend it.

Confirmation usually occurs during adolescence, but the age can vary depending on local custom or the decision of the bishop. In the Eastern Catholic Churches, confirmation (called Chrismation) is typically received immediately after Baptism, even for infants. For adult converts to Catholicism, Confirmation usually takes place at the Easter Vigil after they have completed the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.