Confirmation

 
What does Confirmation do? 

• indelibly seals us to the Holy Ghost, hence its name, "Sacrament of the Seal." Because this seal is indelible and leaves a permanent mark on the recipient's soul, the Sacrament, like Baptism and Holy Orders, may be received only once.
   
• gives us the sanctifying grace to become perfect Christians and true soldiers of Christ, well-armed to engage in spiritual warfare
   
• imparts to us the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost including:

1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord

The Sacrament may only be received by one who is baptized, preferably while he is in a state of grace (i.e., not in a state of mortal sin). If it is received when the recipient is not in a state of grace, it is illicitly but still validly received; the fruits of the Sacrament will be delayed until he receives Penance. In addition, if the confirmand (the one to be confirmed) has reached the age of reason, he should be well-catechized and know the Pater Noster (Our Father), the Ave Maria (Hail Mary), the Symbolum Apostolorum (Apostles' Creed), and the 10 Commandments.

The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the Bishop; priests are extraordinary ministers of the Sacrament and may offer the Sacrament in danger of death. The matter is the imposition of hands, the chrism, and the anointing. 

The form of the Sacrament is:

"N., I sign thee with the sign + of the Cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation; in the Name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy + Ghost."

Latin: "N., signo te signo crucis +  et confirmo te chrismate salutis, in nomine Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus + Sancti."

As in Baptism, a sponsor is chosen to stand for the confirmand. The sponsor should be a baptized and confirmed Catholic who's at least 14 years old, is of the same sex as the confirmand, and is well-instructed in the Faith. Also as in Baptism, among those who may not act as sponsor are: members of religious orders, spouses in respect to each other, parents in respect to their own children, infidels, heretics, members of condemned secret societies, and public sinners. The Code of Canon Law exludes godparents from being sponsors except in cases of emergency.

In any case, just as Abram became Abraham, as Jacob became Israel, as Simon became Peter, and as Saul became Paul, the confirmand takes on the name of a Saint when he is sealed to the Holy Ghost. This isn't necessary for the sake of validity, but it is the traditional practice of the Church, and especially important for those whose Baptismal names are pagan. Read the lives of the Saints and choose your patron well!

If one is raised a Catholic, one is normally confirmed around the age of 12 or so, though Confirmation may come earlier or later at the discretion of the priest and Bishop. If a child attends a Catholic school, he may be confirmed along with classmates, as a group, in the same way that schoolchildren often receive their First Communion together as a class.

On a cultural note, just as in Baptism, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, and one's First Communion, it is customary for guests to bring a small gift to the one receiving the Sacrament, a gift usually, but not necessarily, religious in nature. Icons of his new patron, rosaries, books, etc. are typical. A small party may follow the ceremony, especially in the case of young confirmands.

The Rite of Confirmation