Day 177: The Celebration of Confirmation

Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the "character," which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be his witness. CCC 1304

In today's reading, the Catechism finishes discussing the celebration of and goes into the effects of Confirmation. For the former, the consecration of the sacred chrism by the bishop and laying on of hands over the confirmands. For the latter, the Catechism Compendium summarizes the effects of this sacrament:

The effect of Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost. This outpouring impresses on the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism. It roots the recipient more deeply in divine sonship, binds him more firmly to Christ and to the Church, and reinvigorates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in his soul. It gives a special strength to witness to the Christian faith. (#268)

I still prefer how the East gives this sacrament soon after baptism, but that's something above my pay grade, as the saying goes. The Catechism Companion, Vol II has a good reminder for all of us:

The gifts given to us through these sacraments, in their goodness, demand that we either use them or be rightfully ashamed for not doing so. (p. 118)

The Seven Sacraments Altarpiece, by Rogier van der Weyden, depicting a Latin Church bishop administering confirmation in the 14th century

Confirmation requires anointing with chrism on the forehead, as well as words that indicate that the person has been sealed with the Holy Spirit (see CCC 1300). (p. 119)