Michael Brooks
Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament or rite observed by several other Christian denominations. It is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. The sacrament is called Chrismation in Eastern Christianity, and in the East, it takes place immediately after baptism. In the West, it is administered when a child reaches the age of reason or early adolescence, or in the case of adult baptism, immediately afterward in the same ceremony. Confirmation is also practised by Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confirmation in the Catholic Church | One of the seven sacraments |
| One of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion | |
| Confirmation is called Chrismation in Eastern Catholic Churches | |
| Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Christian community | |
| Confirmation is the supernatural equivalent of the growth process on the natural level | |
| Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit | |
| Confirmation is the strengthening of a baptised individual for their faith journey | |
| Confirmation is not practised in Baptist, Anabaptist and other groups that teach believer's baptism | |
| Confirmation is required by Lutherans, Anglicans and other traditional Protestant denominations for full membership | |
| Confirmation is a coming-of-age ritual | |
| Confirmation is conferred on the faithful at about 7–18 years of age |
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What You'll Learn
Confirmation in Anglicanism
The classical Anglican practice of confirmation and its place in the process of Christian initiation were criticised by the twentieth-century liturgical movement. Despite this, the Anglican formularies do not count confirmation among the sacraments ordained by Christ. Instead, it is a rite or ceremony of the Church.
Article XX of the Articles of Religion maintains that any particular Church has the authority to alter or abolish a rite if it is found to be contrary to the scriptures or inexpedient. The Prayer Book states that the purpose of the rite is the edification or building up of the mature Christian person. There are four elements to the historic Anglican doctrine and practice of confirmation: catechesis, reaffirmation, spiritual strengthening, and admission to communion.
The Reformers believed that confirmation developed from certain instances described in Acts, specifically Acts 8.14-17 and Acts 19.5-6. However, this explanation is now understood to be incorrect, as these are exceptional cases in the early expansion of the Church, and a distinct rite of confirmation did not appear until much later in the West. Nevertheless, these passages remain relevant to the Anglican understanding of confirmation, as they provide a precedent for the manual ceremony of the laying-on-of-hands.
In many countries, it is customary for a person being confirmed in Anglicanism to adopt a new name, usually the name of a biblical character or saint, thus gaining an additional patron saint as a protector and guide. This practice is not mentioned in the official liturgical book of the rite of confirmation and is not used in some countries.
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Confirmation in Methodism
During confirmation, confirmands answer questions about their faith, similar to those answered by their parents or sponsors during their baptism. The pastor then reminds the confirmand to "remember your baptism and be thankful". The confirmand kneels before the pastor, who, along with parents and sponsors, lays their hands on the confirmand's head and says:
> "The Holy Spirit work within you that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ."
The Book of Discipline outlines the vows that confirmands take during the confirmation ceremony. These include renouncing the spiritual forces of wickedness, rejecting the evil powers of the world, and repenting of their sins. They also accept God's freedom and power to resist evil and confess Jesus Christ as their saviour. Confirmands promise to serve Christ, remain loyal to Him through the Methodist Church, and participate in its ministries.
In the Methodist Church, confirmation is typically followed by reception into membership. This involves being received into the Methodist Church and taking one's place in a local congregation. Confirmation is open to people of all ages, and there is no set age requirement.
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Confirmation in Eastern Christianity
The Byzantine Church, for example, confirms or chrismates at baptism and gives the Holy Eucharist as well, initiating the new Christian all at once. In Eastern Catholicism, the sacrament can be administered conjointly with baptism and does not require the anointing to be made by the imposition of the hand. The "soldier of Christ" imagery, which remains valid but is downplayed, was used as far back as 350 by Cyril of Jerusalem.
In Eastern Christianity, the person being confirmed may choose the name of a saint, which they adopt as their confirmation name. The saint whose name is taken is henceforth considered a patron saint.
The United Protestant Churches, such as the United Church of Canada and the Church of North India, also practice confirmation. They understand it as a Christian person assuming the responsibilities of the promises made at baptism.
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Confirmation in the LDS Church
Confirmation is practised in several Christian denominations, including the Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Methodist, and Catholic traditions. In the Catholic Church, confirmation is one of the seven sacraments and is considered a sacrament of initiation, along with Baptism and First Communion. It is typically conferred on individuals between the ages of 7 and 18, marking their acceptance of responsibility for their faith and destiny.
Now, here is a detailed explanation of "Confirmation in the LDS Church":
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), confirmation is referred to as an "ordinance" due to its Protestant origins. The ordinance is understood as administering grace and must be conducted by ordained clergy members through apostolic succession. Confirmation is seen as essential for salvation and is performed after baptism, usually when individuals are at least eight years old, which is considered the "age of accountability".
The confirmation ceremony in the LDS Church involves the laying on of hands by bearers of the Melchizedek Priesthood. One of the bearers will say the person's full name and confirm them as a member of the LDS Church, bestowing upon them the "gift of the Holy Ghost". The ceremony may include a priesthood blessing, and it is closed in the name of Jesus Christ.
The "gift of the Holy Ghost" is considered a key aspect of confirmation in the LDS Church. It is believed to be the fourth of the "first principles and ordinances of the Gospel", following faith, repentance, and baptism. Through confirmation, individuals are thought to receive inspiration, divine manifestations, direction, and other blessings from the Holy Spirit.
According to LDS theology, confirmation is necessary for all mankind, and both baptisms and confirmations are performed by proxy on behalf of the dead in their temples. This belief stems from the teaching that water baptism and the "baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost" are inseparably connected for a person to enter the kingdom of God.
While the ceremony is simpler than in Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches, it holds significant importance in the LDS Church, marking the initiation of members into the church community and their lifelong journey of sanctification.
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Confirmation in Eastern Catholicism
Confirmation in the Catholic Church is one of the seven sacraments and is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. In Eastern Catholic Churches, the sacrament is called Chrismation with holy Myron. In Eastern Catholicism, priests are the ones who administer the Chrismation with holy Myron, and this sacrament can be administered conjointly with baptism.
The practice of the Eastern Churches emphasizes the unity of Christian initiation. The Latin Church expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as the guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity, and apostolicity of his Church, hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ's Church. The main reason for the separation of the sacrament of confirmation from that of baptism in the West was to re-establish direct contact between the person being initiated and the bishops. In the Early Church, the bishop administered all three sacraments of initiation, assisted by priests and deacons. When adults were no longer the majority of those being baptized, the post-baptismal chrismation was delayed until the bishop could confer it.
In Eastern Catholicism, the sacrament does not require the anointing to be made by the imposition of the hand. The "soldier of Christ" imagery, which remains valid but is downplayed if seen as part of the once common idea of Confirmation as a "sacrament of maturity", was used as far back as 350 by Cyril of Jerusalem. In this connection, the touch on the cheek that the bishop gave while saying "Pax tecum" (Peace be with you) to the person he had just confirmed was interpreted in the Roman Pontifical as a slap, a reminder to be brave in spreading and defending the faith.
The Byzantine Church confirms (chrismates) at Baptism and gives Holy Eucharist as well, thus initiating the new Christian all at the same time. Confirmation brings Catholics a deepening of baptismal grace and unites them more firmly to Christ. It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit and leaves an indelible mark on the soul just like baptism. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit received through Confirmation are charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, long-suffering, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, and chastity.
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Frequently asked questions
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is considered one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion.
Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Christian community and matures the soul for the work ahead. It is believed that the Holy Spirit is introduced to a Catholic during confirmation, granting them the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom, understanding, courage, knowledge, and reverence.
The Code of Canon Law specifies that confirmation is to be conferred on individuals at about the age of 7-18, unless a different age is decided by the episcopal conference or there are other exceptional circumstances.
Yes, confirmation is also practiced in other Christian denominations such as Anglicanism, Methodism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. In the Anglican Communion, only bishops are typically authorized to administer confirmation, while in certain South Asian provinces, presbyters can also perform this rite. In the Methodist Church, confirmation is one of the "Commonly called Sacraments but not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel."
The specific beliefs and rituals associated with confirmation can vary between different Christian denominations. For example, in Eastern Catholicism, priests normally administer the sacrament, which can be conferred conjointly with baptism. In Eastern Orthodoxy, the ceremony is simpler and performed by an ordained clergyman, involving laying hands on the individual's head and bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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