Confirmation is one of the Sacraments within the Catholic Church. The article explains what it is, who receives it and what it means.
There are seven sacraments in the Church. While we’ve already touched on reconciliation, this article will discuss another – confirmation.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the sacraments can be divided into three groupings, initiation, healing, and “…the sacraments at the service of communion and the mission of the faithful.” While baptism and first communion are familiar to most, confirmation is a little less well understood. Maybe this is because it was so long ago for many and occurred during a time, adolescence, that other aspects of our lives were hurtling past us.
The traditional time for not only first Eucharist but also confirmation is May. Confirmation is a continuation and “completion of baptismal grace,” according to the Catechism. While baptism can be performed by a priest, confirmation is performed by a bishop. The anointing with oil not only symbolizes a cleansing and healing but serves as a “seal of the Holy Spirit.”
While the confirmed receive many benefits as a result – uniting us with Christ more fully, bonding us with the Church – it gives us a special power. According to St. Thomas Aquinas as quoted in the Catechism “the confirmed person received the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and, as it were, officially.”
Being confirmed is a serious step within the Church. As such, I spoke with one young woman who was confirmed recently regarding her feelings both before and after she received this sacrament.
“I didn’t think it would make much difference to me. I didn’t think I would feel much spiritually different,” said Monique Wilkins. So what about her feelings afterward? “I felt really happy…I realized it’s a big part of me and a big part of my life,” she said. “I didn’t think I would be as touched by the Spirit as I was kneeling there…I’m glad.”
