As a Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation is intimately linked with Baptism and Eucharist. Reborn in Baptism, Christians are strengthened by Confirmation and sustained by the food of the Eucharist. Confirmation seals the Baptism, that is, it is a fuller outpouring of the Spirit incorporating us more completely into Christ and strengthening us in our call to participate in the mission of the Church and in the building of the Kingdom of God.

The originating minister of the sacrament is the bishop, but for pastoral reasons, he may delegate this ministry to pastors. In the Roman rite, the bishop prays over the candidates and then confers the sacrament through anointing with chrism (oil blessed by the bishop on or near Holy Thursday for use in the whole diocese). This is done with a laying on of the hands and with the words: "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."

In the earliest days of the Church, when there was a single locality presided over by the bishop, Baptism would be conferred by priests. Immediately following the Baptism, the person would go before the bishop to receive the Confirmation, or Chrismation. Then the baptized would participate in the Eucharist.

When local Churches became so large that the bishop could not be present at every Baptism, a choice had to be made: Should the sacraments of initiation be kept together and therefore be conferred by the parish priest when the bishop could not be present; or was the conferring of Confirmation by the bishop so important that Confirmation should be delayed until the bishop could come? The Eastern rite chose the first alternative and gives priority to the unity of the sacraments of initiation. Hence, in the absence, of the bishop, Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptizes. The Roman rite chose the second alternative, emphasizing the importance of the bishop's presence. Roman Catholics separated Confirmation from Baptism, postponing it until the bishop was available. To show the link with Confirmation, the priest at the time of Baptism anoints the infant with Holy Chrism.

In Roman Catholic dioceses, Confirmation is administered after a candidate has reached the age of reason. But there considerable disagreements as to the precise age for Confirmation. Practice differs widely from place to place. In the Diocese of Orange, the policy to confirm youth is, at the earliest, their sophomore year of High School during Easter Season. (Catechism reference: #1285-1321)

If you are interested and/or have any questions,
e-mail the SRE Office.

Schedule of the Confirmation Journey