Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It completes the process of initiation into the Christian faith, following Baptism and preceding the Eucharist. Through Confirmation, a baptized person receives the fullness of the Holy Spirit, strengthening their faith and empowering them to live as mature Christians.

Significance of Confirmation

1. Strengthening of Faith
   Confirmation deepens the grace received at Baptism. It strengthens the individual’s bond with the Church and equips them with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to live out their faith more fully.

2. Receiving the Holy Spirit
   In Confirmation, Catholics receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts help them grow in holiness and service to others, following the example of Jesus Christ.

3. Full Membership in the Church
   While Baptism initiates a person into the Church, Confirmation completes this initiation, making them fully responsible members of the Catholic community. Confirmed Catholics are called to be witnesses of Christ in the world.

Biblical Foundation

The sacrament of Confirmation is rooted in Scripture. In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4), the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles at Pentecost, empowering them to preach the Gospel with boldness. Similarly, Confirmation imparts the Holy Spirit to believers, giving them the strength to live out their Christian mission.

Acts 8:14-17 also describes the early Church’s practice of laying hands on newly baptized individuals so they might receive the Holy Spirit, a practice continued in the sacrament of Confirmation today.

The Rite of Confirmation:

1. Laying on of Hands
   The bishop or priest extends his hands over the confirmands (those being confirmed), calling down the Holy Spirit upon them. This gesture symbolizes the transmission of the Spirit’s power and grace.

2. Anointing with Chrism
   The most significant part of the rite is the anointing with Sacred Chrism (holy oil) on the forehead, accompanied by the words:
   “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
   This anointing signifies that the person is marked or sealed with the Holy Spirit, setting them apart as belonging to Christ.

3. The Sign of Peace
   After the anointing, the bishop or priest offers the confirmand a sign of peace, symbolizing the unity of the Church and the community of believers.

The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

1. Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
   Confirmation imparts the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which help the confirmed person grow in virtue and live a Christian life:

   • Wisdom Helps us see things from God’s perspective.

   • Understanding: Deepens our grasp of the mysteries of faith.

   • Counsel (Right Judgment): Guides us in making moral decisions.

   • Fortitude (Courage): Gives us strength to stand up for our faith.

   • Knowledge: Helps us to know God and His will for our lives.

   • Piety (Reverence): Inspires a loving relationship with God.

   • Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): Fills us with respect for God’s greatness.

2. Fruits of the Holy Spirit
   Living according to the Holy Spirit brings forth spiritual fruits in a person’s life, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Who Can Receive Confirmation?

• Baptized Catholics
  Any baptized Catholic who has reached the age of reason (usually around age 7 or older) and has been adequately prepared can receive Confirmation. In many dioceses, it is typically administered to teenagers, but adults who have not yet been confirmed can also receive the sacrament.

• Candidates for Full Communion
  Adults who are converting to Catholicism and have been baptized in another Christian denomination receive Confirmation as part of their initiation into the Catholic Church, typically through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Role of the Sponsor

Each confirmand chooses a sponsor to accompany them through the process. The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic who has received all the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). The sponsor’s role is to guide and support the confirmand in living out their Catholic faith.

The Effects of Confirmation

1. Increased Grace
   Confirmation increases and deepens the grace received at Baptism, strengthening the individual’s relationship with God and the Church.

2. Indelible Mark
   Like Baptism, Confirmation leaves an indelible spiritual mark on the soul, signifying that the person is forever sealed by the Holy Spirit. It is a one-time sacrament that cannot be repeated.

3. Empowerment for Mission
   The confirmed person is empowered to live out their Christian faith boldly and to share the Gospel with others. They are called to be active participants in the Church’s mission.

Confirmation as a Lifelong Commitment

While the sacrament is received only once, its effects are lifelong. Confirmation calls Catholics to live as mature Christians, taking responsibility for their faith and their role in the Church. It strengthens their relationship with Christ and deepens their commitment to following His teachings.

For more details, please reach out to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Titus Imojime via email at fatherimojime@gmail.com or by phone at +232 34 476 224 / +232 74 868 899.