Cathal BarryThe Church teaches that the baptised are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit by the sacrament, writes Cathal Barry
The Church teaches that the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.
For “by the Sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptised] 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” (Lumen Gentium).
The Catechism notes that in the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a “double sacrament”, according to the expression of St Cyprian.
Among other reasons, the rise of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations.
In the West, according to the Catechism, the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the “temporal separation” of the two sacraments. The East, on the other hand, has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptises.
The Catechism states that the practice of the Eastern Churches “gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation”. That of the Latin Church, it says, “more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ’s Church”.
Spiritual seal
In treating the rite of Confirmation, Church teaching holds that it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal.
Anointing, in biblical and other ancient symbolism, is “rich in meaning”, the Catechism states. Oil is a sign of “abundance and joy” as it “cleanses” and “limbers”. It is also a sign of “healing”, according to the Church, since it is “soothing to bruises and wounds” and it makes “radiant with beauty, health and strength”.
Anointing with oil, the Catechism states, “has all these meanings in the sacramental life”.
“The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort.
“The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation, Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit,” the key teaching document says.
By this anointing the confirmand receives “the seal of the Holy Spirit”.
This seal of the Holy Spirit, according to Church teaching, marks the person’s “total belonging to Christ”, their “enrolment in his service for ever”, as well as “the promise of divine protection”.