Sarah Mitchell
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, and one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. It is a ritual that confirms the faith of Catholics and is believed to be the supernatural equivalent of the natural growth of the body and mind. During the confirmation rite, the bishop extends his hands over the candidates and blesses them, asking God to keep the gifts of the Holy Spirit active in their hearts. The bishop then anoints the forehead of the person being confirmed with Chrism Oil, saying their name aloud, followed by the words, Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The person responds with Amen. The bishop then concludes the rite by wishing the person peace, to which they respond, And with your spirit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Catholic Confirmation? | One of the seven sacraments and three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church. |
| Who can be confirmed? | Anyone above the age of discretion (generally taken to be about 7). |
| Who administers the sacrament? | A bishop is the ordinary minister of confirmation. |
| What is the role of the sponsor? | The sponsor lays one hand on the shoulder of the one being confirmed. |
| What is the role of the priest? | Priests can be delegated to confirm adult converts from other religions. |
| What is the role of the candidate? | The candidate comes forward with their sponsor and stands or kneels before the bishop. |
| What is the Confirmation name? | The individual selects their own Confirmation name, which must be a Christian name, such as one of the canonized saints of the Church or a hero from the Bible. |
| What are the candidate's responses? | The candidate responds "I do" to a series of questions and "Amen" after the bishop's blessing. |
| What are the bishop's actions and words? | The bishop dips his right thumb in Chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, saying, "(Name), be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." |
| What is the significance of the sacrament? | The baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. |
| What is the process for adults? | Adults being confirmed typically undergo several months of instruction about the faith through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). |
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What You'll Learn
The confirmation rite
The Catholic Confirmation rite is a ceremony that marks the completion of the initiation process into the Catholic Church. It is one of the seven sacraments and is typically performed on adolescents who have already been baptised as infants.
The bishop then performs the "Laying on of Hands", where he places his hands on the candidates and asks them a series of questions to renew their baptismal promises and affirm their faith. The candidates respond with "I do".
The bishop then dips his right thumb in Chrism Oil and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate, saying, "(Name), be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." The candidates respond with "Amen". The bishop continues with "Peace be with you", to which the candidates respond, "And with your spirit", or "And also with you".
The rite concludes with a universal prayer or prayer of the faithful, and a blessing over the people.
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The role of the bishop
Confirmation in the Catholic Church is one of the seven sacraments and one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. It is a ritual that has been performed for centuries, with the bishop playing a central role in its administration.
The bishop is the primary minister of the sacrament of confirmation, and it is their duty to confer the sacrament on the faithful. In most cases, only a bishop can confirm Catholics in his diocese. However, in some cases, such as with adult converts from other religions, priests can be delegated to perform the confirmation. The bishop is responsible for ensuring that the candidates for confirmation are properly prepared and instructed in the Catholic faith. This includes ensuring that they have received the necessary sacraments, such as baptism, and that they understand the commitments they are making.
During the confirmation rite, the bishop plays a ceremonial role. They begin by extending their hands over the candidates and offering a prayer to God, asking for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be active in the hearts of the people. The bishop then administers the sacrament of confirmation, which involves the laying on of hands and the anointing of the forehead with Chrism Oil or holy Myron. The bishop says the words, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit," and the person being confirmed responds with "Amen." The bishop may also make the sign of the cross on the forehead of the candidate and offer a blessing, such as "Peace be with you," to which the candidate responds, "And with your spirit" or "And also with you."
The bishop also asks a series of questions to the candidates, inviting them to renew their baptismal promises and affirm their faith. The questions vary, but they typically include rejecting Satan and affirming belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The bishop leads the candidates in a profession of faith, saying, "This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord." The bishop is also responsible for ensuring that the confirmation rite is carried out in accordance with the liturgical norms and that the candidates meet the necessary requirements.
Overall, the role of the bishop in Catholic confirmation is crucial. They are responsible for the spiritual preparation of the candidates, the administration of the sacrament, and ensuring that the rite is carried out with reverence and in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The bishop's presence and prayers are an essential part of the confirmation rite, signifying the importance of this sacrament in the life of the Catholic Church.
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The role of the sponsor
Confirmation in the Catholic Church is one of the seven sacraments and one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. It is a significant event in the life of a Catholic, marking the completion of their initiation into the Christian community and the maturation of their soul for the work ahead.
- Support and Guidance: The sponsor is expected to be a practising Catholic, preferably someone who is already confirmed and in good standing with the Church. They act as a mentor, providing spiritual guidance and support to the candidate before and after the confirmation. This includes helping the candidate understand the significance of the sacrament, answering any questions they may have, and offering advice on living a faithful Catholic life.
- Accompaniment: During the confirmation ceremony itself, the sponsor accompanies the candidate as they come forward for the rite of confirmation. They stand or kneel with the candidate before the bishop, laying one hand on the candidate's shoulder as a sign of support and solidarity.
- Witness and Affirmation: The sponsor serves as a witness to the confirmation rite, affirming the candidate's commitment to their faith. They may be asked to respond with "Amen" or other affirmations during the ceremony, such as when the bishop invokes the Holy Spirit upon the candidate.
- Spiritual Companion: After the confirmation, the sponsor continues to be a spiritual companion to the newly confirmed Catholic. They can provide ongoing guidance, encouragement, and support as the individual grows in their faith and lives out their baptismal and confirmation promises.
- Role Model and Example: A sponsor is often chosen because they embody the Catholic faith and values that the candidate aspires to live by. By choosing a sponsor, the candidate selects someone who can be a role model for their spiritual journey, exemplifying a mature and committed Catholic life.
- Liaison with the Church: In some cases, the sponsor may also act as a liaison between the candidate and the Church. They can help facilitate communication, ensure the candidate is prepared for the confirmation, and assist with any administrative or ceremonial aspects of the confirmation process.
It is important to note that the specific responsibilities of a sponsor may vary slightly depending on the traditions and customs of the particular Catholic community and the guidelines provided by the local bishop or parish.
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The renewal of baptismal promises
Confirmation in the Catholic Church is one of the seven sacraments and one of three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. During the confirmation rite, the candidates for confirmation are presented by a priest, deacon, or catechist, and they are called by name and come individually to the sanctuary. If the candidates are children, they are accompanied by a sponsor or parent.
The bishop then gives a brief homily, after which the candidates stand and renew their baptismal promises. The bishop questions the candidates, who respond:
> Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises? I do.
> Do you believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? I do.
> Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? I do.
The bishop continues:
> Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who came upon the apostles at Pentecost and today is given to you sacramentally in confirmation?
To which the candidates respond: "I do."
The bishop concludes this part of the rite with:
> Do you believe in the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
And the candidates respond: "I do."
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The sign of peace
Before the confirmation ceremony, the priest or bishop will usually explain the significance of the Sign of Peace and provide instructions on what to do.
During the ceremony, after the renewal of baptismal promises, the bishop or priest will announce the Sign of Peace. This is done in the native language, for example, "Let us offer each other the Sign of Peace."
The confirmands and congregation are then invited to turn to those around them and offer a sign of peace, usually a handshake or a simple greeting such as "Peace be with you." It is customary to offer the sign of peace to those closest to you first and then to others in the immediate vicinity.
It is important to offer the sign of peace with sincerity and warmth, as it represents Christian love and unity. This part of the ceremony is meant to foster a sense of community and fellowship among those present.
While exchanging the Sign of Peace, it is customary to also wish each other well. Common greetings include "The Lord be with you" or "God's peace be with you."
After everyone has exchanged the Sign of Peace, the bishop or priest will signal for everyone to return to their places. This is usually done by ringing a bell or by saying, "Let us prepare to receive the Lord's sacrifice."
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Frequently asked questions
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is one of three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. It is a form of spiritual growth and a completion of the initiation process into the Christian community.
If you are a non-Catholic interested in converting to Catholicism, you will need to attend RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes. You will also need to provide evidence of your baptism. You can then call your local Catholic Church to enrol in OCIA (formerly RCIA).
The bishop and priests take their seats, and the candidates for confirmation are presented. The bishop then gives a homily, and the candidates renew their baptismal promises. The bishop blesses the candidates, and the candidates respond. The universal prayer, or prayer of the faithful, follows.
The sponsor, or godparent, is chosen by the individual being confirmed. They must be over the age of 16, already confirmed, and in good standing with the Church. The sponsor can be the original godmother or godfather, or the individual can choose someone else.
