Topic 4: The Church as Witnessing and Dialoguing Community;

The Sacrament of Confirmation Strengthens our Baptismal Commitment

Confirmation is the sacrament by which Catholics receive a special outpouring of the

Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit gives them the increased ability to practice
their Catholic faith in every aspect of their lives and to witness Christ in every situation. Like
Baptism, Confirmation changes your soul. At Baptism, God said to us, “you are my son” “you
are my daughter.” And now that you have grown and matured in your faith God now says, “I am
deepening my bond with you and empowering you to live out your baptismal calling to a greater
degree.” He gives us the fullness of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation so as to provide all we need
to live as we are called. Also, the Sacrament of Confirmation helps a person remain faithful to
his or her baptismal commitment to witness to Christ and to serve others. The gifts of the Holy
Spirit associated with confirmation are strengths (or virtues) that Christian living requires if it is
to be fruitful and complete. In addition, confirmation is like a responsibility. As we said in the
opening prayer, we asked God, "Send your Holy Spirit upon us to make us witnesses before the
world to the good news proclaimed by Jesus." "Make us witnesses before the world to the good
news proclaimed by Jesus." That's what we are called to do when we become confirmed
disciples of Jesus Christ.