Confirmation (Chrismation)

“Through the Holy Spirit hearts are raised up, the weak are led by the hand, and those who are making progress are perfected.” 
(St. Basil the Great)

Confirmation completes the grace received at Baptism and is the second of the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation.  It involves anointing with sacred chrism and so is known as Chrismation in the Eastern Christian churches.

As with Baptism, an indelible spiritual mark or character is imparted and can never be erased from one’s soul.  Those Confirmed are forever sealed with the Holy Spirit, who marks those who belong to Christ, gives them a share in His authority, and promises them His divine protection.  Through Confirmation one is brought into closer union with Christ, given a special strength of the Holy Spirit, shares more perfectly in the divine life as a child of God, and is more perfectly bound to His Body the Church.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit, received at Baptism, are increased through Confirmation, and the Christian is both empowered and obligated to spread and defend the faith by word and deed as a result.

When an adult is baptized in the Catholic Church, Confirmation is received at the same time, usually at the Easter Vigil.  In the Diocese of Arlington, children who were baptized as infants are typically Confirmed in the 8^th or 9^th grade.  If you are an adult who was baptized in the Catholic Church and received First Communion at the usual age but were never Confirmed, you can arrange to receive this Sacrament by contacting your local parish.