Confirmation can be administered to all the Baptized, and only to the Baptized.
Confirmation is intimately related to Baptism but it has its own distinctive identity and its own distinctive sign. By the grace of Baptism we are born into a new life; by the grace of Confirmation we grow into a maturing of that life. Baptism gives birth; Confirmation gives growth and maturity.
The sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For “by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with the 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”.
A Sharing in the Divine Nature
This sharing which is granted to us through the grace of Christ has a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and finally are sustained by the food of eternal life in the Eucharist.
Through the sacrament of Confirmation, those who have been born anew at Baptism receive the inexpressible Gift, the Holy Spirit Himself, in a new way, by which “they are endowed…with special strength”. Moreover, having received the character of this sacrament, the candidates are bound more intimately to the Church, and “they are more strictly true witnesses of Christ”. Finally, Confirmation is so closely linked to the Holy Eucharist that the faithful, after being signed by Baptism and Confirmation, are incorporated fully into the Body of Christ by participation in the Eucharist.
The Virtues
The virtues we received at Baptism are now confirmed in us. The virtues of Faith, Hope and Love have as their aim to unite us to God through Jesus Christ. The Cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance are so called because all other virtues are regarded as centering on them.
Anointing
In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing. It signifies and imprints a spiritual seal. By this anointing the person being confirmed receives the “mark”, the seal of the Holy Spirit. This seal or sacramental character forms a spiritual image of Christ on the soul. It is a promise and guarantee of divine protection. It calls us to worship God and to serve His Church.
Christ himself declared that on Him God the Father had set His seal (John 6:27). Saint Paul says that it is God who establishes us in Christ, and He has commissioned us. He has put his seal on us and has given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Cor.1:21f).
The seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, and our enrollment in his service forever. It gives the promise of divine protection in the great trials at the end of life.
Anointing is rich in meaning: In Biblical times it was a sign of abundance and joy. It cleanses and limbers, and it is a sign of healing. The Pre-Baptismal Anointing with the oil of Catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; The Anointing of the Sick expresses healing and comfort. The Post-Baptismal Anointing with Sacred Chrism in Confirmation and Ordination is the sign of consecration. Consecration is another way of saying "made holy, sacred and set aside for the service of God."
Chrism which is the oil used to anoint the candidates, is made from the oil of olives mixed with balm and blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday.
The Celebration of Confirmation
When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, the Liturgy of Confirmation, usually takes place within a Mass. The Liturgy begins with the Renewal of Baptismal promises and the Profession of Faith by those being confirmed. The bishop, and all other priests present, extend their hands over the whole group of those being confirmed. Since the time of the Apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words. "All-powerful God, Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord." The essential rite of the sacrament follows:
The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the "laying on of hands," and through the words: "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."
The sign of peace that concludes the rite of the Sacrament signifies and demonstrates our communion with the bishop and with all the faithful.
