Confirmation

It is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist. Through it, the Christian receives a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which strengthens him to profess, defend, and spread the faith as an adult member of the Church.

At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles gathered with Mary in the Upper Room. From that moment, the Apostles imparted the gift of the Spirit to the newly baptized through the laying on of hands, fulfilling Christ's promise.

The essential rite consists of anointing with sacred chrism (perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop) on the forehead, accompanied by the laying on of the minister's hand and the solemn words: "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop.

The indelible spiritual character that configures the confirmed person specifically to Christ as witness and apostle. Furthermore, it causes an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: uniting us more intimately with Christ and the Church, and conferring the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in the daily battle of faith.

It brings the gifts of the Holy Spirit to full blossom—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord—and anchors us ever more deeply in our divine filiation: knowing that we are dearly loved sons and daughters of God who walk through the world with supernatural confidence.

Baptism already confers the divine life of God, but Confirmation is not an optional extra reserved solely for the especially pious: it is intended for every Christian. Renouncing it means leaving Christian initiation half-completed, depriving oneself of a spiritual strength that God desires to bestow. It would be like having excellent mountain climbing equipment while leaving one's warm winter coat at home: one can still walk, but far less prepared for the journey.

To live the faith with mature conviction and to be a courageous witness to Christ. A confirmed Catholic participates in the evangelizing mission of the Church without requiring a special bureaucratic mandate, at least within his own immediate environment: family, friends, workplace (witness to Christ). It is not a “graduation” that closes a religious chapter—as it is unfortunately sometimes perceived—but the apostolic sending forth that opens it.

By sanctifying one's professional work, fulfilling family duties with selfless generosity, practicing charity toward those in need, and radiating the joy of following Christ to friends and colleagues.

That every Christian, by virtue of Confirmation, possesses all necessary spiritual equipment to reach holiness in ordinary life: there are no second-class citizens in the Church.