The Theology of ConfirmaTion by Rev. Paul Turner

“. . . by the sacrament of Confi rmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” 2

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285 Initiation the age of seven (Canon 891). But conferences of Confi rmation is a Sacrament of Christian initiation bishops may establish another age. In the United (CCC, 1285). This is most evident when it is celebrat- States, the age varies from about seven to sixteen. ed together with Baptism according to the Rite of Some people who were not confi rmed as children Christian Initiation of Adults. “The conjunction of the receive the Sacrament as adults. Others receive it two celebrations signifi es the unity of the paschal shortly before death. mystery, the close link between the mission of the Whenever Confi rmation is deferred from infancy, Son and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the the Church expects that some maturation of faith connection between the two sacraments through will have taken place. Still, adult faith should not be which the Son and the Holy Spirit confused with the adult age of natural growth, and come with the Father to those who baptismal grace does not need are baptized” (215). ratifi cation to become effective In the Eastern Rites, the priest who Whenever Confirmation (CCC, 1308). baptizes an infant also confi rms “is deferred from infancy, (or chrismates). The anointing the Church expects that Full Communion consecrates the newly baptized some maturation of faith The Church confers Confi rmation with the Gifts of the Spirit and on those who have been validly constitutes a spiritual preparation will have taken place. baptized in other Christian for communion, which the child ” traditions but now join the full receives in the same ceremony. communion of the Roman Catholic In the Roman Rite, if a newborn is not expected to Church. In the ceremony, they make a profession live, a priest who baptizes the child may also ad- of faith in all that the Catholic Church believes, minister Confi rmation. Such a child does not need teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God. They to be old enough to undergo preparation. Confi rma- are received into full communion, and then the tion is an initiation rite, fi lling the newborn with the priest administers Confi rmation. The new Catholic Gifts of God’s Spirit. then receives communion for the fi rst time. Maturity Conclusion To be confi rmed, a person baptized as an infant in In all these instances, however, two themes remain the Roman Rite normally has to be catechized, be constant: Confi rmation is a gift of the Holy Spirit, properly disposed, and be able to renew baptismal and it is given for the sake of bearing witness to promises (Code of Canon Law 889/2). The person Christ. may be as young as the age of discretion, or about

2LG 11; cf. OC, Introduction 2.

2 The Theology of Confi rmation

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