Basic Catholic Q and A's

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

1. What is Confirmation?
2. Who is the minister of Confirmation?
3. What does "confirm" mean?
4. How is Confirmation given?
5. What makes up the sign of Confirmation?
6. What does the action of confirming tell us about the sacrament?
7. What do we mean by "anointing"?
8. What do the words signify?
9. What are the effects of Confirmation?
10. What are the duties of confirmed Catholics?
11. What do we mean when we say that a Christian is sealed as Christ's witness?
12. Is Confirmation necessary for salvation?
13. Who may receive Confirmation?
14. Is there a preferred age for confirming?
15. Can the dying receive Confirmation?
16. How should a Catholic prepare for Confirmation?
17. What is the purpose of a Confirmation sponsor?
18. Is another saint's name taken in Confirmation?

1. What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the sacrament in which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way to join us more closely to Jesus and his Church and to seal and strengthen us as Christ's witnesses. It is the completion of baptismal grace. (1285, 1316)

When the Intercessor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father-the Spirit of truth that comes forth from the Father-he will bear witness to me, but you, too, will bear witness... (Jn 15:26). (See also Acts 2:4; 8:14-17)

2. Who is the minister of Confirmation?
In the Latin Rite, the bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation but priests may confirm in certain circumstances when authorized by the bishop. In the Eastern Church, the priest ordinarily administers confirmation at the same time as Baptism. He uses sacred chrism consecrated by the bishop to bring out this sacrament's connection with the apostolic office. (1299, 1312-1313)

For the one God sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure (Jn 3:34).

3. What does "confirm" mean?
To confirm means to strengthen. In Confirmation our faith is deepened and strengthened, and through this sacrament we are more perfectly bound to Christ and to his Church. (1285)

In Christ you who heard the word of truth-the good news of your salvation-and believed it were sealed by the promised Holy Spirit, which is the pledge that we shall gain our inheritance when God redeems what is his, to the praise of his glory! (Eph 1:13-14).

4. How is Confirmation given?
In the Latin Rite, the bishop extends his hands over the person and anoints the forehead in the form of a cross while saying: "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." The person being confirmed answers "Amen," meaning, "Let it be so." The Gift is the Holy Spirit, who is the Gift of the Father and the Son to us. (1299-1301)

Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17).

5. What makes up the sign of Confirmation?
The sign of Confirmation is made up of anointing and words. (1293)

6. What does the action of confirming tell us about the sacrament?
In the action of confirming, the anointing shows that strength and power are being received from the Holy Spirit. This anointing is a sign of our consecration to Jesus Christ. (1294, 1305)

7. What do we mean by "anointing"?
"Anointing" means "signing with oil." The blessed oil that is used is called chrism which stands for spiritual strength. The sweet-smelling aromatic substance that it contains stands for freedom from sin and the spreading of goodness. (1293-1294, 1297)

We are the aroma Christ offers to God among those being saved and among those who are perishing. For some it is a deadly fragrance which leads to death, for others it is a life-giving fragrance which leads to life (2 Cor 2:15-16).

8. What do the words signify?
The words signify that we are receiving the Holy Spirit in a special way, and are being sealed or marked as Christ's witnesses. (1300)

It is God who establishes us in Christ with you and who has anointed us, who has placed his seal on us and given our hearts the Spirit as a down payment (2 Cor 1:21-22).

9. What are the effects of Confirmation?
Confirmed Catholics have become full-pledged members of the Church. They have received spiritual strength and special graces to help them better witness to Christ. The confirmed have also grown in the graces and gifts first received in Baptism. This is indicated during the Confirmation ceremony when the Holy Spirit is called upon to come with his seven gifts. (1303)

They prayed over them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet come upon any of them-they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:15-16).

10. What are the duties of confirmed Catholics?
Confirmed Catholics are to keep on learning about their faith. They are to live it, love it, stand up for it and share it as Christ's witnesses. (1303)

11. What do we mean when we say that a Christian is sealed as Christ's witness?
In Confirmation a Christian receives a second spiritual seal which lasts forever. The first lasting spiritual seal was received at Baptism; Confirmation seals our public commitment to Christ begun in Baptism. This seal is called a character. (1304-1305, 1317)

I am sending the promise of my Father upon you, so stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high (Lk 24:48-49).

12. Is Confirmation necessary for salvation?
Confirmation is not absolutely necessary for salvation, but it could be seriously wrong to neglect this sacrament because it deepens baptismal grace and brings an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist so complement one another that all three are required for full Christian initiation. Confirmation is also important for the growth of the Church. (1306)

13. Who may receive Confirmation?
Any baptized Catholic who has not been confirmed may receive Confirmation. The Church urges Catholics to study their faith well before receiving Confirmation, because a confirmed Catholic is expected to live up to his or her faith. (1306)

14. Is there a preferred age for confirming?
In the Latin tradition the person to be confirmed should have reached the age of discretion. However, since Confirmation is a free gift, one need not be any specific age in order to receive it. In the Eastern Church, Confirmation is given to infants immediately after Baptism. (1307-1308)

15. Can the dying receive Confirmation?
Any priest can give Confirmation to a dying person so that he or she will have received the fullness of Christ. (1307, 1314)

16. How should a Catholic prepare for Confirmation?
A Catholic should prepare for Confirmation by studying the Catholic faith, by praying and by witnessing to Christ. The candidate must be in the state of grace and have the same intentions as the Church. (1309-1310)

They all devoted themselves single-mindedly to prayer... (Acts 1:14).

17. What is the purpose of a Confirmation sponsor?
A Confirmation sponsor has the same duties as a baptismal godparent. The Church suggests that the baptismal godparent become the Confirmation sponsor, however, another sponsor may be chosen. A sponsor must be a good Catholic, already confirmed. (1311)

18. Is another saint's name taken in Confirmation?
A Catholic may take another saint's name in Confirmation if he or she wishes.

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