Confirmation
The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Confirmation"From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church." (CCC 1228)
USCCB Confirmation Handout
Videos on Confirmation
Early Church Fathers on Confirmation
St. Basil
Of the beliefs and practices whether generally accepted or publicly enjoined which are preserved in the Church some we possess derived from written teaching; others we have received delivered to us ‘in a mystery’ by the tradition of the Apostles; and both of these in relation to true religion have the same force. And these no one will contradict;--no one, at all events, who is even moderately versed in the institutions of the Church. For were we to attempt to reject such customs as have no written authority, on the ground that the importance they possess is small, we should unintentionally injure the Gospel in these matters especially, or, rather, should make our public definition a mere phrase and nothing more…Which of the saints has left us in writing the words of the invocation at the displaying of the bread of the Eucharist and the cup of blessing? For we are not, as is well known, content with what the apostle or the Gospel has recorded, but both in preface and conclusion we add other words as being of great importance to the validity of the ministry, and these we derive from unwritten teaching. Moreover we bless the water of baptism and the oil of the chrism, and besides this the Catechumen who is being baptized. On what written authority do we do this? Is not our authority silent and mystical tradition? Nay, by what written word is the anointing of oil itself taught? And whence comes the custom of baptizing thrice? And as to the other customs of baptism from what Scripture do we derive the renunciation of Satan and his angels? Does not this come from that unpublished an secret teaching which our fathers guarded in a silence out of the reach of curious meddling and inquisitive investigation?...In the same manner the Apostles and Fathers who laid down laws for the Church form the beginning thus guarded the awful dignity of the mysteries in secrecy and silence, for what is bruited abroad at random among the common folk is not mystery at all. On the Holy Spirit, Chapter 27
Scripture - Confirmation
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CATECHISMSECTION TWO THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
CHAPTER ONE THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION Article 2 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION I. Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation II. The Signs and the Rite of Confirmation III. The Effects of Confirmation IV. Who can Receive This Sacrament? V. The Minister of Confirmation IN BRIEF CANON LAW | ||||||||||||||||||||
