What is Confirmation - Confirmation is the sacrament in which the Holy Spirit joins us more closely to Jesus and his Church and to seals and strengthens us as Christ's witnesses. It is the completion of confirmational grace.

Who is the minister of Confirmation - The bishop, in the Latin Rite, is the ordinary minister of Confirmation but priests may confirm when authorized by the bishop. In the Eastern Churches, the priest usually administers Confirmation. He uses sacred chrism consecrated by the bishop to bring out this sacrament's connection with the apostolic office.

What does "confirm" mean - To confirm means to strengthen. In Confirmation your faith is strengthened and deepened, and through this sacrament we are more perfectly bound to Christ and to his Church.

How is Confirmation given - 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 responds "Amen," meaning, "Let it be so." The Gift is the Holy Spirit, who is the Gift of the Father and the Son to us.

What makes up the sign of Confirmation - The sign of Confirmation is made up of anointing and words.

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.

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.

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.

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 Confirmation. This is indicated during the Confirmation ceremony when the Holy Spirit is called upon to come with his seven gifts.

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.

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 Confirmation, and Confirmation seals our public commitment to Christ begun in Confirmation. This seal is called a character.

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 Confirmational grace and brings an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation, 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.

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.

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 Confirmation.

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.

How should a person prepare for Confirmation - A person 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.

What is the purpose of a Confirmation sponsor - A Confirmation sponsor has the same duties as a confirmational godparent. The Church suggests that the confirmational godparent become the Confirmation sponsor, however, another sponsor may be chosen. A sponsor must be a good Catholic, already confirmed.

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