Part III, Section I, Chapter III — Confirmation

304. What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the sacrament that makes us perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ, and imprints in us its character.

305. What is the matter of Confirmation?

The matter of Confirmation is the holy chrism, that is, oil mixed with balsam, consecrated by the Bishop on Holy Thursday.

306. What is the form of Confirmation?

The form of Confirmation is the words: "I sign you with the sign of the Cross, and confirm you with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

307. Who is the minister of Confirmation?

The minister of Confirmation is the Bishop, and, extraordinarily, the priest who has the faculty for it from the Pope.

308. How does the Bishop administer Confirmation?

The Bishop, having extended his hands over those to be confirmed, invokes the Holy Spirit; then with the holy chrism he anoints in the form of a cross the forehead of each one, pronouncing the words of the form; he then gives each a slight tap on the cheek, saying: "Peace be with you"; and at the end he solemnly blesses all those who have been confirmed.

309. In what way does Confirmation make us perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ?

Confirmation makes us perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ by giving us the abundance of the Holy Spirit, that is, of His grace and of His gifts, which confirm or strengthen us in faith and in the other virtues against our spiritual enemies.

310. At what age is it good to receive Confirmation?

It is good to receive Confirmation at about seven years of age, because then temptations usually begin, and one can sufficiently know the holiness and the grace of this sacrament.

311. What dispositions must one who receives Confirmation have?

One who receives Confirmation must be in the grace of God; and, if he has the use of reason, he must know the principal mysteries of the Faith, and approach the sacrament with devotion, deeply imbued with what the rite signifies.

312. What does the holy chrism signify?

The holy chrism, with the oil that spreads and gives strength, signifies the abundant grace of Confirmation; and with the balsam, which is fragrant and preserves from corruption, signifies the good odor of the virtues that the confirmed person must possess, fleeing from the corruption of the vices.

313. What does the anointing made on the forehead in the form of a cross signify?

The anointing made on the forehead in the form of a cross signifies that the confirmed person, as a strong soldier of Jesus Christ, must hold his forehead high, without blushing for the Cross and without fear of the enemies of the Faith.

314. What does the slight tap that the Bishop gives the confirmed person signify?

The slight tap that the Bishop gives the confirmed person signifies that he must be ready to suffer every affront and every pain for the Faith.

315. Are there godparents at Confirmation?

At Confirmation there are godfathers for men and godmothers for women, who must be good Christians, in order to edify and spiritually assist the newly confirmed.