Why Confirmation?

5 min

Awaiting theological review

The simple answer

Confirmation completes Baptism. The bishop, or a priest he sends, lays his hand on the person and anoints their forehead with chrism, a perfumed oil blessed on Holy Thursday, praying that they be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit strengthens them, as he strengthened the apostles at Pentecost, to live and speak as Christians. Confirmation is received only once. A sponsor, ideally the godparent from baptism, accompanies the person. In Portugal it is usually received as a teenager or as an adult.

In the Bible

Scripture

Peter and John go to Samaria, where people had been baptised, and lay their hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts of the Apostles 8:14–17

Scripture

In Ephesus, Paul baptises a group of disciples, lays his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit comes upon them.

Acts of the Apostles 19:5–6

Scripture

Paul writes that God has anointed us, put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

2 Corinthians 1:21–22

Scripture

Isaiah describes the Spirit of the Lord resting on the Messiah: a spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and godliness, and of the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 11:2–3

Scripture

In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus reads that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, because he has anointed him to bring good news to the poor.

Luke 4:18

Where it comes from

Historical context

In the early Church, Baptism, the anointing with the Spirit and the Eucharist were celebrated together, usually at the Easter Vigil.

Historical context

In the West, the anointing came to be reserved to the bishop; as dioceses grew, it was celebrated later, when the bishop could come. The Eastern Churches kept it together with Baptism, given by the priest with chrism blessed by the bishop, even to babies.

Historical context

Chrism, oil mixed with perfume, is blessed each year by the bishop at the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, together with the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick.

Church teaching

In 1971 Paul VI revised the rite: the essential sign is the anointing with chrism on the forehead, with the laying on of the hand and the words of the sacrament. The light tap on the cheek used in the old rite was dropped.

Paul VI, Divinae Consortium Naturae (1971; locator awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

What the Church teaches

Church teaching

Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism: it roots us more deeply in Christ, increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit and gives special strength to witness to the faith.

Catechism 1285, 1303 (numbers awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

Catechism

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

CCC 1831

Catechism

It is the Holy Spirit who makes faith possible: no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit.

CCC 683

Church teaching

Like Baptism, Confirmation imprints an indelible mark and is received only once. In the Latin Church it is given around the age of reason, unless the bishops' conference sets another age.

Catechism 1304-1305 (numbers awaiting verification)(awaiting verification) Code of Canon Law, can. 891(awaiting verification)

A common misunderstanding

Confirmation is a graduation: after it, you have finished with the Church.

In fact

It is a beginning, not an end. It is God's gift, not a diploma, and it is meant to send people out as witnesses for the rest of their lives.

Why it matters today

If you were confirmed, ask yourself which of the seven gifts you most need now, and ask the Holy Spirit for it. If you were never confirmed, it is never too late: most parishes have preparation for adults.

Bible passages

Acts of the Apostles 8:14–17 · Acts of the Apostles 19:5–6 · 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 · Isaiah 11:2–3 · Luke 4:18

Catechism

CCC 1831; 683 ↗