Confirmation

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Confirmation

Catholics consider Confirmation to be one of seven sacraments, the second sacrament of initiation.

Timing - adolescence

Most Catholics receive Confirmation when they are older, typically when they reach adolescence.
This is often believed to be an age when they can understand the demands of the Christian faith and can choose to make the commitment for themselves.

Timing - can vary

The timing of receiving the sacrament can vary though:
- Some dioceses believe a child should be confirmed before they first receive communion, and so are confirmed at an earlier age.
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that seven is the ‘age of discretion’ or the age at which children can understand the implications of the decisions they make.

Significance

It is an opportunity for a baptised Catholic to renew the commitments made on their behalf at Baptism.
Those being confirmed reject evil and profess their belief in God and the Christian faith.
They believe they receive a special grace, or gifts, from the Holy Spirit to help them live good Christian lives.
These gifts include wisdom and courage, as were shown by the Apostles at Pentecost when they also received the Holy Spirit.

Process of Confirmation

The Confirmation ceremony is usually conducted by a bishop, but he can designate the role to a priest. The process of Confirmation has three main stages:

Vows renewed

The person being confirmed renews the vows made on their behalf at Baptism.

Bishop spreads hands

The bishop spreads his hands and prays for the Holy Spirit to come down on those who are being confirmed.

Foreheads anointed

Each one is then anointed on the forehead with the oil of chrism as a sign of the strength they are being given to live up to their commitment.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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