spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of wonder and awe in God’s presence” (Is 11:2). Each candidate, accompanied by a sponsor, then comes to the bishop, who traces a cross with the oil of chrism on the candidate’s forehead saying, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”. The bishop greets the newly confirmed person with a sign of peace. The ‘chrism’ used in Confirmation (also in Baptism and Ordination) is olive oil mixed with a perfume. This has been consecrated by the bishop at the ‘Chrism Mass’ in Holy Week. Its use signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In special circumstances
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he ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop but in special circumstances (e.g. reception of an adult, baptised convert) he may delegate this ministry to a priest. Even when the bishop himself does not confirm, the link with him is maintained by the use of the chrism which he has consecrated.
In danger of death even very young children may be confirmed, for “the Church desires that none of her children, even the youngest, should depart this world without having been protected by the Holy Spirit with the gift of Christ’s fullness”. (Catechism, 1314).
What preparation?
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reparation for Confirmation can take many different forms but whatever the programme, it should aim at leading the candidate to a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the work of the Holy Spirit. The candidate needs to develop a sense of belonging to the universal Church as well as the parish community. Shortly before Confirmation the candidate should make use of the sacrament of Reconciliation so as to be ready to receive the Holy Spirit. Candidates will need the spiritual help of a sponsor who may well be one of the baptismal godparents.
For More Information Catechism of the Catholic Church, paras 1293 – 1321
Key Books to Read Why be Confirmed? by Bishop Michael Evans. CTS, 2003 (Do 704)
Being Confirmed?
Confirmation – The Spirit of Christ, by Sr Mary David Totah OSB. CTS, 2004 (Do 713) Confirmed in the Faith: A Catholic Confirmation Course, by Dora Nash Sacraments Revisited, by Liam Kelly Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments, by Scott Hahn
A wide range of inexpensive publications is available from CTS to help nurture your faith and keep you informed about a wide range of issues. If you would like to receive further information please contact us: CTS, 40-46 Harleyford Road, London SE11 5AY Or visit www.cts-online.org.uk Tel: 020 7640 0042 Fax: 020 7640 0046
ISBN 978 1 86082 315 7
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All rights reserved. © 2005 The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society. Cover Image © The Chair of St Peter, detail of the stained glass window behind, 1665, by Giovanni Bernini, St Peter’s, Vatican, Rome, Italy/Bridgeman Art Library, Baptism of Christ by Fra Angelico and Workshop © Arte & Immagini srl/CORBIS, person being confirmed © Lorenzo Lees.
What does confirmation mean, what happens, and how can I prepare? 20p
What does Confirmation mean?
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onfirmation is the completion of Baptism. It is a sacrament, a sign appointed by God, which conveys the gift of His Holy Spirit. People sometimes put the emphasis wrongly on the candidate confirming his or her baptismal promises. The central moment of the sacrament, however, is not this preliminary element but God confirming us by sealing us with the gift of the Holy Spirit, signified by the oil of chrism administered by the bishop. “Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only once because it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark or ‘character’, which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of His spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he can be His witness” (Catechism, 1304).
United to Christ
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y our anointing, we are united more firmly to Christ. Notice that ‘Jesus Christ’ does not represent forename and surname but name
and title, ‘Jesus the Christ’ (Greek version of the Messiah, the “Anointed one”). He was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism in the Jordan by John and we share His anointing in our Confirmation. By this sacrament, Christians share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which He is filled. Anointing with chrism at Confirmation is a sign of our consecration, our belonging to Christ and commitment to God’s service.
Filled with the Spirit
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n Confirmation we are given a special strengthening by the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly and never to be ashamed of the Cross. As the Holy Spirit came upon the Church at Pentecost, empowering the apostles to spread the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world, so the Holy Spirit gives power to those who are confirmed to share in God’s work, His mission in the entire world. The Sacrament of Confirmation commissions us to bear public witness to Christ.
At what age is a person confirmed? Drawn deeper into the Church
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e are not only united more firmly to Christ, but also drawn deeper by Confirmation into the life of the Church by the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of unity, the Spirit of communion. What was begun in Baptism, our entry into and membership of Christ’s family, is perfected at Confirmation and is expressed most fully in the Eucharist. “The administration of this sacrament by bishops demonstrates clearly that its effect is to unite those who receive it more closely to the Church, to her apostolic origins and to her mission of bearing witness to Christ” (Catechism, 1313).
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he usual age for Confirmation is from seven, considered to be the dawn of the age of reason, to teenage years. In the case of adults entering the Church, they receive Baptism and then are immediately confirmed and receive the Eucharist. This pattern of Confirmation and Eucharist straight after adult Baptism was the practice of the Church of the early centuries. It illustrates the fact that the three sacraments of entry (‘initiation’)
into the Church - Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist - belong together. At the Easter vigil, the adults would be baptised in a separate building near the Church, the baptistry, and then would be confirmed by the bishop before entering the Church to join the congregation for the Eucharist. Confirmation is the bishop’s part in initiation. In later centuries when the majority of candidates were children, Confirmation was usually delayed, perhaps for years, until the bishop came on his travels around the diocese and administered the sacrament. So nowadays, as a result of these historical developments, the three sacraments of entry into the Church are separated, with children baptised as infants receiving First Holy Communion at seven or eight and Confirmation some years later.
The ceremony of Confirmation
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oung people are usually confirmed during a special Mass. After readings from Scripture and a homily, the candidates renew their baptismal promises. Then the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of candidates and calls God to send His Holy Spirit upon them. This Spirit is spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the