Receiving Confirmation
The Rite of Confirmation

The Rite of Confirmation

'Rite' is defined as being 'the prescribed or customary form for conducting a religious or other solemn ceremony: the rite of baptism; the rite of confirmation.
A ceremonial act of series of acts: fertility rites. The liturgy of the Christian Churches, especially historical forms of Eucharistic service rites as an established ceremony fall into three major categories.  1. Rites of Passage, such a marriage; 2. Rites of worship, where a community gathers to worship, a church;  3. Rites of personal devotion: a pilgrimage or process of prayer.
           
In Christianity 'rite' is most often referred as the ceremonies associated with the sacraments.   The term 'rite' is also used as reference to liturgical tradition such as 'the Roman Rite' (the most widely used liturgical form used within the Roman Catholic Church, or 'Byzantine Rite' (the liturgical term used by the Eastern Orthodox churches).  Liturgical being the study and use of liturgies (primarily of the Bible).
           
And so we have the 'Sacrament of Confirmation'.  But what is 'the Sacrament of Confirmation?  How is it a 'Rite'?
           
According to the Bible the first confirmation took place as: Acts 8:14-17 "Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost."
Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God: whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption."

The Sacrament of Confirmation gives us the indelible seal of the Holy Ghost.  Indelible meaning that the rite of confirmation makes a mark on one's soul that can never be erased.  Religious confirmation provides us with sanctifying grace so we may become perfect Christian and soldiers of Christ.  It strengthens and prepares us to do spiritual battle in defense of Christ as King, His mother as Queen and His Kingdom on earth.
           
In order to be soldiers of Christ we are armed with seven gifts from the Holy Spirit.  They are, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
           
Confirmation, like Baptism and Holy Orders can only be received once, preferably while the recipient is in a state of grace.  If not, the Sacrament of Confirmation must be delayed until the recipient has made his/her confession and received penance.
Anyone who receives Confirmation is given a sponsor, not to be the sponsor of his/her Baptism (with the exception of unusual or special occasions). A sponsor must be fourteen years of age and of the same sex as the recipient.  A sponsor must also be well instructed in the faith.  A person of a religious order may not be the sponsor of a recipient unless the recipient has promised to enter Holy Orders.  Spouses cannot sponsors cannot sponsor each other; parents cannot sponsor their own children; nor, can anyone one who is not in good standing within the Church sponsor a confirmation recipient.
           
Those receiving confirmation take on names of a patron saint or in some cases their sponsor or other faithful learned individual as an example to guide them through their journey of faith in being soldiers of God.
           
In the Catholic Rite of Confirmation one is generally confirmed as a teenager, at the age of 16 or 17.  Having made his/her First Communion around the age of seven which is determined to be the age of reason, by seventeen, one is assumed to have learned enough of his faith (and his place with God) to be able to take up the sword of Christ and defend his religion as his faith.
           
Adults who enter the Church are generally baptized (if necessary) and make their First Holy Communion and Confirmation at the same time.  Customarily this is done at the Easter Vigil at the discretion of the Bishop and parish priest.
           
The Rite of Confirmation is considered a sign of anointing.  Oils are used as a physical sign of this permanent seal upon the soul.  Oil is a sign of joy and abundance, it cleanses, and limbers.  It heals and soothes and make radiant whatever it touches.  It heals; it soothes; it build strength; it makes radiant whatever it touches.  In baptism oil signifies cleansing, in the sacrament of the sick oil signifies healing and comfort and in the sacrament of ordination it is a sign of consecration.  The confirmation statement is: those who are anointed with blessed oil share the mission of Jesus Christ more completely.  As if they give off 'the aroma of Christ'.  Jesus himself declared he was marked with his Father's seal.  In confirmation we are marked with oil as a physical sign of the seal of the Holy Spirit given to us.
           
In the Roman Rite the Confirmation Liturgy begins with a renewal of the Baptismal promises and a profession of faith by the confirmation recipients and congregation. The Bishop extends his hands over the entire group of recipients and invokes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with these words,

"All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord."

The Essential Rite of the Confirmation Mass is:  In the Latin Rite, the Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing on the forehead and a laying of the hand and the words 'Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit'.  In the Eastern Churches of Byzantine Rite the forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chest, back, hands and feet are anointed.  Each anointing is accompanies by the words, 'The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit'.
           
The Rite of Confirmation is then concluded with the sign of peace which demonstrates communion with the bishop and all of the faithful.
           
It is customary to give one a gift when they are confirmed in order to congratulate their faith achievement.  Gifts are usually, tho not necessary, of a religious nature such as icons of his chosen patron, rosaries, books of faith.