At a Catholic confirmation, a person who has previously been baptized is initiated into full discipleship with Christ by the laying on of hands of a bishop or priest. It is about strengthening what God has given, and continues to give, to his sons and daughters (cf. Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states: Many people think of the laying on of hands, which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit, as the central act in the sacrament of confirmation. The Form of the Sacrament of Confirmation, The Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation, The Christian Catholic Sacraments of Initiation, The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. ), The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon. And you are now an adult in the eyes of the Church. Confirmation is a sacrament that deepens one's relationship with God, and is thus usually preceded by organized religious instruction. Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?! CCC 1302-1303). Where Should a Catholic Baptism Take Place? Why Are Catholics Anointed With Chrism at Confirmation? He has written about Catholicism for outlets including Humanitas and Catholic Answers Magazine. During Confirmation, the focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith. CCC 1285). He also anoints the candidate's head with oil and makes the sign of the cross with holy chrism oil. These gifts are supernatural graces given to the soul. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, The Office of Bishop in the Catholic Church, Maundy Thursday: Origin, Usage, and Traditions, Everything You Need to Know About Easter in the Catholic Church, M.A., Political Theory, Catholic University of America, B.A., Political Theory, Michigan State University, It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as children of God] which makes us cry, "Abba! Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts. The Acts of the Apostles mentions the apostles imparting the Holy Spirit to believers by the laying on of hands. This allowed infants to be baptized soon after birth, while the bishop could confirm many Christians at the same time, even years after baptism. The most common age for confirmation is 14, although younger children and adults may also receive this "sacrament" or ordinance. (See, for example, Acts 8:15–17 and 19:6.). It is also one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church, the other two being Baptism and Holy Communion. At Confirmation, you renew those same promises, this time speaking for yourself. All Christians who have been baptized are eligible to be confirmed, and, although the Western church suggests receiving the sacrament of confirmation after reaching the "age of reason" (around 7 years old, or second grade in the United States), it can be received at any time. This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. The Sacrament of Baptism in the Catholic Church, The Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church. A confirmand must be in a state of grace before receiving the sacrament of confirmation. The church has always stressed this connection of confirmation through the bishop to the ministry of the apostles, but it has developed different ways of doing so in the East and in the West. Confirmation, a sacrament of initiation, establishes young adults as full-fledged members of the faith. After the president announces his nomination, the Senate Judiciary Committee must vet the nominee and hold confirmation hearings… This is what happens in Confirmation. Since the timely reception of baptism is very important and it would be very hard for a bishop to administer every baptism, the bishop's presence, in the Eastern Churches, is signified by the use of chrism consecrated by the bishop. The confirmation gives the faithful a chance to consciously confirm the discipleship into which they entered when baptized as infants. Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors? The bishop prays for him to receive the seven gifts of the spirit: awe, wonder, wisdom, reverence, courage, knowledge and right judgment. Any Catholic who did not receive confirmation at baptism or as part of his religious education during grade school or high school should contact a priest and arrange to receive the sacrament of confirmation. Traditionally, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude (courage), knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. If the sacrament is not received immediately after baptism, the confirmand should participate in the sacrament of confession before confirmation. Like baptism, therefore, it can be performed only once, and confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at baptism. In the Eastern Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) Churches, the three sacraments of initiation are administered at the same time to infants. Confirmation is a … Each person wishing to be confirmed comes forward with his or her sponsor, who may or may not be one of the godparents chosen for Baptism. When you’re confirmed, you get to choose a Confirmation name to add to your first and middle names — or you can just use the names given to you at Baptism. The bishop anoints you by using oil of Chrism (a consecrated oil) to make the Sign of the Cross on your forehead while saying your Confirmation name and “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”, The bishop then says, “Peace be with you.”, You respond, “And with your spirit” or “And also with you.”.

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