Rachel Evans
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church, alongside Baptism and First Communion. It is also referred to as Chrismation, particularly in Eastern Catholic Churches. Confirmation is a ceremony that involves the anointing of oil by a bishop or priest, marking a person's permanent commitment to their faith and their acceptance of responsibility for their spiritual destiny.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Chrismation with holy Myron, Sacrament of Confirmation, Chrismation |
| Type of ceremony | Religious, Christian, Catholic |
| Purpose | To give a closer connection to the Holy Spirit, to strengthen the union between the individual and God, to deepen baptismal grace |
| Who performs it | Bishop or priest |
| Who receives it | Baptized Catholics |
| Age | Mid-teens in the United States, early teens in Ireland and Britain |
| Frequency | Once |
| Custom | Receiving person chooses the name of a saint |
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What You'll Learn
Confirmation is a sacrament
Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ for the conferral of sanctifying grace and the strengthening of the union between the individual and God. Confirmation is required by Lutherans, Anglicans, and other traditional Protestant denominations for full membership in their respective churches. In Catholic theology, it is the sacrament of baptism that confers membership, while the "reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace".
The essential rite of Confirmation is the anointing with Sacred Chrism (oil mixed with balsam and consecrated by the bishop), which is done by the laying on of the hand of the minister who pronounces the sacramental words proper to the rite. In the West, this anointing is done on the forehead of the baptized with the words, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit". In the Eastern Churches of the Byzantine rite, this anointing is also done on other parts of the body with the words, "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit". The effect of Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost, which impresses on the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism.
Confirmation is not practised in Baptist, Anabaptist, and other groups that teach believer's baptism. The sacrament or rite of confirmation is administered to those being received from these aforementioned groups and to converts from non-Christian religions. In the Latin Church (Western Catholicism), it is celebrated separately for people baptized under the age of seven, historically to give them the opportunity to receive it personally from the bishop. In Eastern Catholicism, priests are those who normally administer the sacrament, and it can be administered conjointly with baptism.
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It is a ceremony involving anointment with oil
Confirmation is a Catholic ceremony that involves the anointment of oil. It is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation is considered a "'sacrament of maturity', marking a person's commitment to their faith as they approach adulthood.
The ceremony involves the anointment of the forehead with chrism, a sacred, consecrated oil. Olive oil is the preferred oil for sacred chrism, but any vegetable oil may be used. The oil is blessed by a bishop and is often mixed with balsam to give it a sweet-smelling fragrance. This anointment is accompanied by the words, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit," and it signifies the strengthening and empowerment of the individual's spiritual journey.
The use of oil in the ceremony has deep symbolic roots in both ancient societies and sacred Scripture. Oil represents worship, light, nourishment, abundance, and God's provision. It is also a sign of cleansing, care, tithing, gladness, reverence, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The anointment during confirmation signifies the individual's consecration to God and their willingness to obey and serve Him.
In the Latin Church (Western Catholicism), confirmation is typically celebrated separately from baptism, particularly for individuals who were baptised under the age of seven. This separation allows those baptised as children an opportunity to personally receive confirmation from a bishop when they are older. In Eastern Catholic Churches, confirmation is referred to as "Chrismation with holy Myron," and it is usually administered by priests conjointly with baptism.
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It is also known as chrismation
Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament that gives a person a closer connection to the Holy Spirit. It is also one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation is a ceremony involving the anointing of oil by a bishop or priest on the forehead of the recipient. The bishop then says, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit," to which the recipient responds, "Amen".
In Eastern Catholicism, Confirmation is called "Chrismation" with holy Myron. In the Latin Church, Confirmation is ordinarily celebrated separately for people who were baptised under the age of seven, while in Eastern churches, the two sacraments are celebrated together. The canons concerning this practice are the can. 692-697 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
The Catholic Church teaches that Confirmation, like Baptism, marks the recipient permanently, making it impossible to receive the sacrament twice. It is a mature and public profession of faith, signifying a person's acceptance of responsibility for their faith and destiny. The ceremony involves a general imposition of hands, with the bishop praying that the Holy Ghost may come down upon those who have already been regenerated.
In some regions, it is customary for the person being confirmed to choose the name of a saint, which they adopt as their confirmation name. This practice is not mentioned in the official liturgical book of the rite of confirmation and is not in use in several countries.
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It is not to be confused with a 'rite of passage'
Confirmation is a Catholic rite of passage, but it is not to be confused with a rite of passage in the anthropological sense. Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. It is a ceremony that involves being anointed with oil by a bishop or priest, and it is believed that the Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation, giving them the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The Catholic Church teaches that confirmation, like baptism, marks the recipient permanently, and it is impossible to receive the sacrament twice. Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Christian community and matures the soul for the work ahead. It is considered a time when a person accepts responsibility for their faith and destiny, moving from childhood to adulthood, and making a personal commitment to the faith.
While confirmation is indeed a rite of passage within the Catholic Church, it differs from the broader concept of a rite of passage as a cultural or societal ritual that marks a significant life transition. Rites of passage can vary widely across different cultures and societies, and they are not necessarily religious in nature. They can include rituals such as coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, funerals, or even graduation ceremonies, which are not confined to a specific religion.
Additionally, in the context of other Christian denominations, confirmation can take on different meanings and practices. For example, in Lutheranism, confirmation is referred to as "affirmation of baptism" and is a mature and public profession of faith. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the sacrament may be conferred more than once, and it is associated with receiving returning or repentant apostates.
Therefore, while confirmation is a significant rite of passage within Catholicism, it should not be conflated with the broader anthropological understanding of a rite of passage, which encompasses a wide range of cultural and societal rituals marking life transitions and is not limited to any specific religious framework.
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It is a symbol of the strengthening of the union between God and the individual
Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament that strengthens the relationship between God and the individual. It is one of the sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, along with Baptism and First Communion. Confirmation is a ceremony where those who have been baptised receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, marking a spiritual seal and a strengthening of their faith.
The ceremony involves the imposition of hands, where the bishop or priest anoints the forehead of the individual with chrism, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, and says:
> "I sign thee with the sign of the cross and confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
The bishop then gives a slight blow on the cheek, saying "Peace be with thee", and the individual responds with "Amen". The bishop's blessing completes the rite. This gesture symbolises the nature and purpose of the sacrament, with the anointing representing the strength given for spiritual conflict.
Confirmation is a significant step for Catholics as it represents a personal commitment to their faith, marking a spiritual maturity and a deepening of their relationship with God. It is a permanent mark, like baptism, and cannot be received twice. The individual being confirmed chooses a sponsor, who must be a practising Catholic, and often selects a confirmation name, usually the name of a saint. This name is spoken during the ceremony, and the individual is then considered to be under the protection of the saint.
Confirmation is a time for Catholics to accept responsibility for their faith and destiny, moving away from childhood obedience towards doing what is right independently. The Holy Spirit is believed to give the gifts of charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faith, and other virtues to those who are confirmed.
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Frequently asked questions
Confirmation.
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ for the strengthening of the union between the individual and God. It is also one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion.
The ceremony involves being anointed with oil by a bishop or priest. The bishop puts Chrism Oil on the person's forehead, says their name aloud, and then says, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." The person responds, "Amen."
