What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Confirmation is the last of the Sacraments of Initiation, the others Baptism and Eucharist. In the early Church, Confirmation was celebrated immediately after Baptism, strengthening the newly baptized to be a witness for the Christian Church. Later, Confirmation became separated from the celebration of Baptism so that today, in some instances, it is seen as the adult choice to be a witness for Christ. The sacrament strengthens the recipient to give authentic witness to the demands of the gospel life.

Connected to the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, it is essential that the connection be maintained. Confirmation is an outgrowth of the commitment made in Baptism, and lived with the reception of Christ in the Eucharist. In the West, the sacrament is celebrated by the Bishop, by the "laying on of hands" and the anointing with Chrism (perfumed oil blessed by the Bishop) signifyinga spiritual seal.

The laying on of hands was used in the New Testament to call upon the Holy Spirit to be with those sent forth, either for ministries such as leadership or service, or, to be sent to announce the "Good News" of gospel life to others in different parts of the world.

Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of the grace we received in Baptism. Confirmation helps us to see more clearly our relationship to Jesus Christ, drawing us closer to the loving relationship first begun before we were born. It strengthens our awareness of the Holy Spirit, and increases in us the gifts the Spirit bestows on us. It draws us closer to the community of believers, the Church, helping us to bond more closely with the Body of Christ which is the Church.  Lastly, "it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses to Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross." (CCC, 1303)

Confirmation is celebrated at the "age of discretion" which has varied throughout the Church. In Vermont, for those who were baptized as infants, Confirmation is celebrated after two years of preparation, after one has reached the sophomore year in high school. The bishop celebrates a number of confirmations throughout the diocese in the spring.

For adults, confirmation is celebrated either in their parish community, after a period of preparation, or by the bishop in the Spring.