CONFIRMATION (CREDITS TO THE OWNER)

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church[1]. It is the one of the three
sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and Holy Communion.[2]

According to Catholic doctrine, the Sacrament of Confirmation enables the faithful to be sealed with the
gift of the Holy Spirit, strengthening them in their Christian life.

Laying on of hands

The Bishop stretches out his hand over the children and calls down the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a
profound gesture which is also used in other sacraments including the anointing of the sick and ordination
of a priest. This gesture is also used during the consecration of the bread and wine at Mass, so that they
become the body and blood of Christ. In Confirmation, the Bishop or Priest calls upon the gifts of the
Holy Spirit to overshadow the person being confirmed.

Anointing with Oil

Chrism, which is a special oil blessed by the Bishop is used for anointing during the confirmation
ceremony. Anointing is a symbol of being called and strengthened for an important task, which is derived
from ancient times. In Confirmation, the person is being anointed to go forth in life as a Catholic, as a
disciple of Jesus, as a person of the Spirit, with confidence and strength.

Words

The bishop or priest performing the confirmation recites the words ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy
Spirit’. This symbolises a legal contract when

signed and sealed is considered authentic and binding. To be sealed with the Spirit is to be confirmed as a
Christian believer.

White Garment

The person being confirmed usually wears a white garments to symbolise their purity.

Candle

light, which provides direction to one’s life in the community

Process
THE CATHOLIC SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Just as bodies and minds grow, Catholics believe that the soul also needs to grow in the life of grace. The

sacrament of Confirmation builds on the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, and Holy Communion,

completing the process of initiation into the Catholic community. (Note: The Byzantine Church confirms

(or chrismates) at Baptism and gives Holy Eucharist as well, thus initiating the new Christian all at the

same time.)

WHAT THE CATHOLIC SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION MEANS

Confirmation, a sacrament of initiation, establishes young adults as full-fledged members of the faith.

This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made

strong. During your Baptism, your parents and godparents make promises to renounce Satan and believe

in God and the Church on your behalf. At Confirmation, you renew those same promises, this time

speaking for yourself.

During Confirmation, the focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave

them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during

the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts.

Traditionally, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude (courage),

knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts are supernatural graces given to the soul. The

12 fruits of the Holy Spirit are charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, long-suffering,

mildness, faith, modesty, continency, and chastity — human qualities that can be activated by the Holy

Spirit.

THE CATHOLIC RITUAL OF CONFIRMATION

The Confirmation ceremony may take place at Mass or outside of Mass, and the presiding bishop wears

red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen hovering over the heads of the apostles at

Pentecost. Each person wishing to be confirmed comes forward with his or her sponsor, who may or may

not be one of the godparents chosen for Baptism.

When you’re confirmed, you get to choose a Confirmation name to add to your first and middle names —

or you can just use the names given to you at Baptism. However, your new name must be a Christian

name such as one of the canonized saints or a hero from the Bible.

Here’s what happens at the actual ritual of Confirmation:

1. You stand or kneel before the bishop.

2. Your sponsor lays one hand on your shoulder and speaks your confirmation name.

3. The bishop anoints you by using oil of Chrism (a consecrated oil) to make the Sign of the Cross
on your forehead while saying your Confirmation name and “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy
Spirit.”

4. You respond, “Amen.”

5. The bishop then says, “Peace be with you.”

6. You respond, “And with your spirit” or “And also with you.”

And you are now an adult in the eyes of the Church.