Grace Thompson
Baptism and confirmation are two of the seven sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church. Baptism is the first sacrament, marking a person's entry into the Church and the beginning of their life in Christ. Confirmation, meanwhile, is the final sacrament of initiation, completing the graces received during baptism. In the Catholic Church, confirmation is typically administered when a child reaches the age of reason or early adolescence, although in the Eastern Church, it is common to receive confirmation as a baby, right after baptism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is baptism? | The first sacrament Catholics receive, incorporating a person into the life of Christ and the forgiveness of original sin. |
| Who can be baptized? | Anyone can be baptized, but only a baptized Catholic can receive the sacrament of confirmation. |
| Who can perform the baptism? | Any baptized member of the church can perform an emergency baptism, but only a priest or bishop can perform the mystery of chrismation. |
| When can confirmation be received? | In the Eastern church, confirmation is received as an infant, right after baptism. In the Western church, it is traditionally received when the child reaches the age of reason or early adolescence, or in the case of adult baptism, immediately afterward in the same ceremony. |
| What is confirmation? | The sacrament of confirmation completes the graces received during baptism, sealing one's membership in the Catholic church and strengthening one's faith. |
| Who can perform confirmation? | Confirmation is usually performed by a bishop or a priest who lay their hands upon the recipient's head in prayer and blessing. |
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What You'll Learn
Confirmation completes the initiation into the Catholic Church
In Catholic theology, baptism is a sacrament that confers membership. It is seen as a sacrament of regeneration, where a person is incorporated into the life of Christ and the Church. It is the first of the seven sacraments and is necessary to receive any of the others.
Confirmation is also known as chrismation in Eastern Christianity. In the Eastern Church, it is common to receive confirmation as an infant, right after baptism. In the Western Church, confirmation is traditionally received when a child reaches the age of reason or early adolescence, or in adulthood, immediately after baptism. In the Catholic Church, confirmation is administered by a priest or bishop, who lays their hands upon the recipient's head in prayer and blessing.
Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation, along with baptism and Holy Communion (Eucharist). The Eucharist completes a believer's initiation. It is a central rite in Catholic worship, originating from the Last Supper, where the priest consecrates bread and wine to represent the body and blood of Christ, which is then shared with the faithful.
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Confirmation is for baptised Catholics only
Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament that is only given to those who have previously been baptised. In Catholic theology, baptism is a sacrament that confers membership. It is the first of the seven sacraments and is considered the basic sacrament. It is necessary to receive baptism before any other sacrament can be received.
Baptism is a sacrament of regeneration, a rebirth that forgives past sins and allows a person to start a new life in Christ. It is often performed on infants, but can also be given to adults who wish to convert to the faith. In the Catholic Church, the priest baptises an adult or admits a baptised adult into full communion with the church. In the Eastern Church, confirmation is given to infants right after baptism. In the Western Church, it is traditionally given 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 completes the graces that one receives in baptism. It is a continuation of baptism, and it strengthens the believer's faith and deepens their relationship with God. It is a sacrament of fearless apostolic zeal that gives the baptised the strength and courage to witness, spread, and defend the faith.
Therefore, confirmation is a sacrament that is only for baptised Catholics.
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Confirmation is usually performed by a priest or bishop
Confirmation is the continuation of baptism and, together with this and the reception of the Eucharist, forms the sacraments of Christian initiation. It is usually performed by a priest or bishop, who lay their hands upon the recipient's head in prayer and blessing. In the Catholic Church, confirmation marks the recipient permanently, making it impossible to receive the sacrament twice.
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments and is also the basic sacrament. It is necessary to receive baptism before any other sacrament can be received. In Catholic theology, it is the sacrament of baptism that confers membership. The Catholic Church recognises the rite of baptism practised by other Christian churches, provided that the sacrament is conferred by the pouring or sprinkling of water while the same person pronounces the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Confirmation is the sacrament through which the baptised are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. It strengthens the Christian with the gifts of the Spirit to help them live out their faith. Confirmation completes the graces that one receives in baptism, so that one has all the graces necessary to be an adult in the faith. In the Eastern Church, it is common to receive confirmation (or chrismation) as an infant, right after baptism. In the Western Church, it is more common to receive confirmation when one reaches the age of reason or early adolescence.
In the Catholic Church, confirmation, like baptism, is only given to those who have been baptised. Confirmation is usually performed by a priest or bishop, but in some cases, a deacon may also perform the sacrament. Confirmation is required for full membership in the Catholic Church.
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Confirmation is not the same as baptism
Baptism is a sacrament of supernatural rebirth or regeneration. It gives a person the supernatural life, and the other sacraments provide for the restoration, growth, healing, or communication of this supernatural life. It is the sacrament that brings us into the body of Christ, making us "babies in Christ".
Confirmation, on the other hand, ends the sacraments of initiation. It completes the graces received during baptism, providing the strength and courage to witness and defend the faith. It is the sacrament that makes us "adults in the faith".
While baptism is typically administered to infants, confirmation can be received by baptised individuals who have reached the age of discretion, which is usually around seven or eight years old. In the Eastern Church, confirmation may be conferred right after baptism, even in infancy.
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Confirmation is not always performed in childhood
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is one of the three sacraments of initiation, along with Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation completes the graces received during Baptism, marking the recipient as a priest, prophet, and king.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church warns against confusing adult faith with the adult age of natural growth. It emphasizes that baptismal grace is unmerited and does not need ratification to be effective. This is further supported by St. Thomas Aquinas, who states that the "age of body does not determine the age of soul," and that even in childhood, one can attain spiritual maturity.
The sacrament of confirmation ends the sacraments of initiation, marking the recipient with an indelible spiritual character. It is a permanent completion that does not expire. Confirmation deepens the baptismal life, calling individuals to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ and to spread and defend the faith with courage and zeal.
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Frequently asked questions
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments in Catholicism and is necessary to receive the other six. It is a symbol of rebirth, forgiveness of sins, and a new beginning in Christ.
Confirmation is the sacrament that completes baptism. It is a seal of membership in the Catholic Church and is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. Confirmation strengthens the individual's faith and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit to defend that faith.
The Catholic Church requires one to be at least seven years old to receive confirmation. In the Eastern Church, confirmation can be conferred on infants right after baptism. In the Western Church, it is traditionally done when the child reaches the age of reason or early adolescence.
