One of the most misunderstood sacraments, Confirmation is often heralded as a graduation, signifying entry into adulthood in the faith, or even viewed as the end of the faith life entirely. These views misunderstand the purpose and meaning of Confirmation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285 says that in “the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”

Confirmation is a continuation of the sacrament of Baptism. Those being confirmed, known as confirmandi, are sealed with the Holy Spirit and are strengthened to live as witnesses to Christ through their lives.  

In Confirmation, according to Canon #879, “the baptized continue their path of Christian initiation. They are made strong and more firmly obliged by word and deed to witness to Christ and to spread and defend the faith.” This also assists them in being living members of the Church – members of the Body of Christ.

This sacrament is not something exclusive to those of us in the modern day. In Scripture, the Apostles received confirmation as well as conferred the sacrament. The Apostles themselves received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost before they went out to evangelize the world, and they laid hands upon the people of Samaria, who received the Holy Spirit through that action in the eighth chapter of the book of Acts.

People throughout the world receive the sacrament of Confirmation at different times. In many dioceses within the United States, the sacrament is received between the ages of 13 and 15, though some celebrate it earlier, prior to their First Communion. Adults or children who enter the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) at Easter also receive the sacrament of Confirmation, typically at the Easter Vigil Mass.

During the confirmation rite, baptismal promises are renewed. The bishop (or priest, if an exception is made) extends his hand over each confirmand and invokes the Holy Spirit, he anoints the confirmand with sacred chrism oil, and says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This chrism oil is consecrated at the Chrism Mass each spring and is used at all baptisms and confirmations until the following year’s Chrism Mass.

We are all called to be living examples of Christ and members of his Church throughout our lives, but the sacrament of Confirmation works in conjunction with our baptism to allow the Holy Spirit to provide strength and guidance so we may fully live out our call as disciples.  

It is important that all who have been confirmed, and all who celebrate their confirmation this year, remember this is not an end but truly marks the beginning of living out the faith and being witnesses to Christ.

Bishop Parkes recently conferred the sacrament at two parishes. View those posts on Facebook here and here.

For more information about becoming Catholic through OCIA, click here.