It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1302)
Confirmation imbues those it is conferred upon with a special grace to carry out their Christian lives with zeal and fervour. Confirmands are filled with the Holy Spirit as they receive the Sacrament, just as the apostles were on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit, the advocate, gave the apostles the courage to proclaim the mighty works of God throughout the earth.
In the Rite of Confirmation, the bishop traces the Oil of Holy Chrism on the candidate’s forehead in the shape of the cross. This recalls Christ’s title as “the Anointed”. In the Old Testament, we also read about the anointing of priests, prophets, and kings:
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward." (1 Samuel 16:13)
Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the "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 may be his witness. (Catechism of the Catholic Church
1304)
This "character" perfects the common priesthood of the faithful, received in Baptism, and "the confirmed person receives the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and as it were officially (quasi ex officio)." (Catechism of the Catholic Church
1305)
We pray that through this special anointing, our beloved youth or adults confirmed in our Parish will embark on the same mission of spreading the Good News of Christ to all the ends of the Earth.
A baptised Catholic:
Youth: Completed parish’s Confirmation preparation for teens: Rite of Christian Initiation for Youths (RCIY)
Adult: Completed Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
- it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";
- it unites us more firmly to Christ;
- it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
- it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;116
- it gives us a special strength of 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:
Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303)
Approach your parish to register and complete either Rite of Christian Initiation for Youths or the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults with your Godparent.
Confirmation is the sacrament during which Catholics confirm their faith and commitment to the Catholic Church. It symbolizes spiritual maturity and completes the initiation process that began at Baptism and the Holy Eucharist nourished.