What is Confirmation in the Catholic Church: 7 Key Insights

What is Confirmation in the Catholic Church: 7 Key Insights

Have you ever been to a Mass where the bishop was visiting, and you saw a group of young people, often dressed in red and white, stand before him to be anointed with oil? You were likely witnessing one of the most powerful and beautiful moments in a Catholic’s life: the Sacrament of Confirmation. 🙏

But what is actually happening in that moment? Is it a «graduation» from religious education? Is it just a rite of passage? Or is it something much, much deeper?

The truth is, Confirmation is one of the most misunderstood sacraments. It’s not an ending; it’s a super-charged beginning. It’s the moment the Holy Spirit, the very power that descended upon the apostles at Pentecost, is sealed within a person, commissioning them to go out into the world as a bold soldier for Christ.

So, whether you’re preparing for the sacrament yourself, a parent or sponsor guiding someone, or a member of our community here at oracioncristiana.org just seeking to understand your faith more deeply, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the 7 key insights you need to know about the incredible power of Confirmation.

1. What is Confirmation? (It’s Your Personal Pentecost)

Let’s start with the core of it all. Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation—along with Baptism and the Holy Eucharist—through which a baptized person is sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If Baptism is the sacrament of spiritual birth, Confirmation is the sacrament of spiritual strengthening and maturity. It completes and perfects the grace you received in Baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ and gives us a «special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith» (CCC 1303).

The best analogy for Confirmation is Pentecost. Remember in the Book of Acts (Acts 2:1-4)? The apostles, who had been hiding in fear after Jesus’s Ascension, were suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit. They were transformed from a timid, huddled group into bold, powerful evangelists who immediately went out and preached the Gospel, unafraid of persecution or even death.

That is what Confirmation is meant to be for you. It is your own personal Pentecost. It’s the moment the Church says, «Now you are fully equipped. Go, and set the world on fire with God’s love.»

2. The Ancient Roots: Where Did Confirmation Come From?

This sacrament isn’t a modern invention. The roots of Confirmation are deeply biblical, starting with the actions of the apostles themselves.

In the early Church, Baptism and Confirmation were originally part of one single ceremony. But as the Church grew, it became impossible for the bishop (the successor to the apostles) to be at every single baptism. The ceremony split into two parts:

1. The local priest would baptize new converts.
2. Later, the bishop would visit the community to complete the initiation by laying hands on the newly baptized and sealing them with the Holy Spirit.

We see this exact practice in the Book of Acts:
> «Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.» (Acts 8:14-17)

This «laying on of hands» by the apostle to confer the Holy Spirit is the direct biblical foundation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. It has been a part of the Church’s life for 2,000 years.

3. The Rite of Confirmation: What Actually Happens?

The Confirmation ceremony is rich with powerful, ancient symbolism. While it’s part of a full Mass, the core of the sacrament has two essential actions, performed by the bishop (or a priest delegated by him).

First, the Laying on of Hands: This is a silent, powerful moment. The bishop extends his hands over the group of candidates (the confirmandi) and prays for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them. This is the same gesture used by the apostles in the Book of Acts, a sign of blessing and the invoking of God’s power.

Second, the Anointing with Chrism: This is the central, visible sign of the sacrament. The bishop dips his thumb in a sacred oil called Holy Chrism and makes the Sign of the Cross on the candidate’s forehead, saying the words:
> «Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.»

The candidate responds, «Amen.» The bishop then offers a sign of peace, saying, «Peace be with you,» to which the candidate responds, «And with your spirit.»

This anointing is a powerful sensory experience. The chrism oil (olive oil mixed with balsam) has a beautiful, distinct fragrance and marks the soul with an indelible, permanent «seal.» It’s like a spiritual dog tag, marking you as belonging to Christ forever.

4. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Your Spiritual Superpowers)

So what does it mean to be «sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit»? It means that the seven supernatural gifts, first described by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 11:2-3), are strengthened and sealed within you. These are the tools the Holy Spirit gives you to live a mature Christian life.

Think of them as your spiritual superpowers:

The Gift	What It Does (Your Superpower)
Wisdom	Helps you to see the world from God’s perspective. It’s the ability to value spiritual things over worldly things.
Understanding	Gives you a deeper insight into the truths of the faith. It helps you «get it» when you read Scripture or listen to a sermon.
Counsel (Right Judgment)	Helps you to know the difference between right and wrong and to choose the right path in difficult moral situations. It’s your spiritual compass.
Fortitude (Courage)	Gives you the spiritual strength to stand up for your faith, to resist temptation, and to overcome obstacles. It’s the courage of the martyrs.
Knowledge	Allows you to understand God’s purpose and plan for your life. It’s about knowing God, not just knowing about Him.
Piety (Reverence)	Inspires you to have a deep love and reverence for God and all holy things. It’s the desire to worship and serve God out of love.
Fear of the Lord (Awe)	This isn’t being «scared» of God. It’s a profound sense of awe and wonder at His greatness, and a deep desire not to offend the One you love so much.

These gifts are not just for your own benefit. They are given to you so you can go out and build up the Body of Christ.

5. The Role of the Sponsor (Your Spiritual Coach)

Just like in Baptism, a candidate for Confirmation chooses a sponsor. A Confirmation sponsor is a spiritual role model and mentor who walks with the candidate on their journey.

This is a serious role. The sponsor isn’t just someone who stands with you on the day and gives you a nice gift. According to Church law (Canon Law 893), a sponsor must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic who is at least 16 years old and lives a life in harmony with the faith.

Their job is to be a spiritual coach:

• To Pray: They pray for their candidate throughout the preparation process.
• To Guide: They share their own faith experience and help the candidate with questions or struggles.
• To Witness: At the ceremony, they place a hand on the candidate’s shoulder, presenting them to the bishop and vouching for their readiness.
• To Support: Their role doesn’t end at the ceremony. They are meant to be a lifelong source of encouragement in the faith.

Choosing a sponsor is a big decision. It should be someone you look up to, someone whose faith you admire, and someone you feel comfortable talking to about your spiritual life.

6. The Effects of the Sacrament: What Changes?

So, after you’re anointed and sealed, what’s different? The sacrament of Confirmation produces real effects in the soul. It is a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit that transforms you for a life of mission.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) summarizes the effects this way:

• It roots us more deeply as children of God.
• It unites us more firmly to Christ.
• It increases the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
• It renders our bond with the Church more perfect.
• It gives us a special strength to be true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

In short, it makes you a fully-fledged, commissioned soldier in the army of Christ. You are now equipped for the mission of evangelization.

7. Living as a Confirmed Catholic (Now What?)

Confirmation is not the end of your faith education; it is the beginning of your life as a mature disciple. Living as a confirmed Catholic means taking ownership of your faith and actively using the gifts you’ve been given.

How can you do this?

1. Pray for the Gifts to be Activated: The gifts are sealed in you, but you need to «unwrap» them! Pray daily to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to stir up and activate these gifts in your life.
2. Get Involved: The gifts aren’t for you to keep on a shelf. They are for the community. Join a ministry at your parish. Become a lector, a catechist, a youth group leader, or volunteer for a service project.
3. Be a Witness: You are now called to be a public witness. This doesn’t mean you have to preach on a street corner. It means living your life with such integrity, joy, and love that people ask you about your faith. It means being ready to defend the faith when it’s challenged and share the reason for your hope.
4. Continue Learning: Now that you’re an «adult» in the faith, it’s your responsibility to keep learning. Read the Bible, study the Catechism, and explore the rich intellectual tradition of our Church through resources like those at oracioncristiana.org.

Are You Ready to Be Sealed for Mission?

Confirmation is one of the most powerful and grace-filled moments in our Catholic journey. It’s the «more» that God wants to give us after Baptism—more strength, more courage, and more of His own Spirit to guide us.

It’s the moment we stand up and say «yes» for ourselves to the faith we were given, ready to take our place in the great mission of the Church. It is a sacrament not of graduation, but of commission.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. The comments section is open!

→ What was your own Confirmation experience like? What do you remember most?
→ Which of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit do you feel you need most in your life right now?
→ If you could give one piece of advice to someone preparing for Confirmation, what would it be?

Let’s share our stories and wisdom!