Rachel Evans
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation completes the initiation process and matures the soul for the work ahead. It is a spiritual duty to fight the war between good and evil, light and darkness. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits as the apostles on the day of Pentecost. The Catechism of the Catholic Church sees the account in the Acts of the Apostles 8:14–17 as a scriptural basis for Confirmation as a sacrament distinct from Baptism.
| 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 completes the process of initiation into the Christian community | |
| The canonical age for confirmation in the Latin Church is between 7 and 18 | |
| The Holy Spirit is first introduced to a Catholic on the day of their baptism | |
| Confirmation is sometimes referred to as the "Sacrament of the Holy Ghost" | |
| Confirmation is a spiritual duty to fight the war between good and evil, light and darkness | |
| Confirmation completes the work in our souls that was begun at Baptism | |
| Confirmation is not a military designation | |
| Confirmation is also known as the "Sacrament of the Seal" | |
| Confirmation is also known as the "imposition of hands" | |
| Confirmation is also known as "anointing with chrism" |
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What You'll Learn
Confirmation is a spiritual duty
The ceremony may take place during Mass or outside of it, and the bishop wears red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen over the apostles' heads at Pentecost. During the sacrament, the Catholic being confirmed stands or kneels before the bishop, and the sponsor places one hand on the shoulder of the person being confirmed. The confirmation name is then spoken, and the bishop anoints the person's forehead with Chrism Oil, saying their name aloud and declaring, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." The person responds, "Amen."
The age of confirmation varies, but the Code of Canon Law specifies that the sacrament is typically conferred on individuals between the ages of 7 and 18. However, the episcopal conference may decide on a different age, or the sacrament may be administered at a different age if there is a danger of death or other grave reasons. In the Latin Church, priests are those who administer the sacrament, and it can be administered conjointly with baptism.
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Confirmation completes initiation into the Catholic Church
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is also one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation completes the initiation process into the Catholic Church.
Confirmation is a spiritual duty to fight the war between good and evil, light and darkness — a war between the human race and all the powers of hell. It is not a military designation, and those who benefit from Confirmation are sometimes referred to as "soldiers of Christ". The Catechism of the Catholic Church warns against confusing adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, as well as the idea that baptismal grace requires "ratification" to become effective. The Code of Canon Law for the Catholic Church states that Confirmation "strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith".
Confirmation completes the work in our souls that was begun at Baptism. It is the supernatural equivalent of the growth process on a natural level. It builds on what was begun in Baptism and what was nourished in Holy Eucharist. It completes the process of initiation into the Christian community and matures the soul for the work ahead. The Holy Spirit is first introduced to a Catholic on the day of their baptism, as the entire Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — are invoked at the ceremony.
Confirmation is for any age. Adult converts who have never been baptized are baptized when they become Catholic. They are then confirmed and receive their First Communion at the same Mass. If they were previously baptized in a Protestant Church, they make a Profession of Faith, are confirmed, and receive Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass.
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Confirmation is a sacrament of Christian maturity
Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of initiation, marking the completion of the process of Christian community initiation. It is a spiritual ritual that involves the introduction of the Holy Spirit into a Catholic individual, marking them with a spiritual seal and confirming their faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1308, states:
> "Although Confirmation is sometimes called the 'sacrament of Christian maturity,' we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need 'ratification' to become effective."
This sacrament is often associated with the idea of Christian maturity, as it is typically conferred on individuals aged 7-18, marking their transition into adulthood and their commitment to their faith. The age of confirmation has varied over the centuries, with the traditional order of sacraments being restored in some places, allowing younger children to receive the sacrament if they are baptised, suitably instructed, and able to renew their baptismal promises.
The ceremony involves the bishop anointing the forehead of the individual with Chrism Oil, saying their name aloud, and then declaring, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." The recipient responds with "Amen," and the bishop continues with "Peace be with you," to which the recipient replies, "And with your spirit" or "And also with you."
The sacrament of Confirmation is believed to empower individuals to live out their baptismal calling, providing them with the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts necessary to confidently manifest and defend their faith. This maturity in faith is reflected in the traditional "soldier of Christ" imagery, which symbolises the courage and commitment to spread and uphold the Christian faith.
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Confirmation is for those already baptised
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is also one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. In Eastern Catholicism, confirmation or Chrismation is administered conjointly with baptism. In the Latin Church, the sacrament requires the anointing to be made by the imposition of the hand.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1308, warns:
> "Although Confirmation is sometimes called the 'sacrament of Christian maturity,' we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need 'ratification' to become effective."
The Code of Canon Law specifies that the sacrament is to be conferred on the faithful at about 7-18 years of age, unless decided otherwise by the episcopal conference or in exceptional circumstances. In the Western Church, it is traditionally conferred when a child reaches the age of reason or early adolescence, or in the case of adult baptism, immediately afterward in the same ceremony. In the Eastern Church, confirmation is administered to infants right after baptism.
Baptism is a sacrament that leaves an indelible mark, along with the sacrament of holy orders and the sacrament of confirmation. It purifies us from sin and makes us children of God. Confirmation, therefore, is for those who have already been baptised. It is the sealing of the covenant created in baptism and is seen as a coming-of-age rite.
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Confirmation is for those aged 7-18
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation is said to grant the recipient a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, marking them with the sign of God the Father, confirming them as Christ the Lord, and placing his pledge, the Spirit, in their hearts.
The sacrament of Confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion, which is considered to be around 7–18 years of age, unless the episcopal conference has decided on a different age, or there is a danger of death, or, in the judgement of the minister, a grave reason suggests otherwise. This age range allows for individual bishops to decree that the age for confirmation within their diocese falls within this range.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church warns against confusing adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, emphasising that the baptismal grace does not need ratification to be effective. This means that Confirmation is not solely for adults, and individuals can receive Confirmation at a younger age.
While Confirmation is typically received at a younger age, it is still possible for adults to receive Confirmation later in life. For example, one individual shared their excitement about being confirmed at the age of 53, expressing that they felt they were getting more out of the experience as an adult than they would have as a teenager.
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Frequently asked questions
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation completes the initiation process and matures the soul for the work ahead.
During Confirmation, the Holy Spirit is introduced to Catholics, and they are anointed with holy Myron. This is also known as the “imposition of hands”.
Confirmation is typically for adolescents, but the Sacraments of Initiation are for any age. Adult converts from other religions can be Confirmed when they are brought into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Confirmation is seen as a spiritual duty to fight the war between good and evil, or light and darkness. It is a commitment to serving Christ and defending the faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church sees the account in the Acts of the Apostles 8:14–17 as a scriptural basis for Confirmation. St. Ephraem Syrus also speaks of “the Sacraments of Chrism and Baptism”.
