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Chapter 16. Confirmation: Consecrated for Mission • 207
The Effects of Confirmation
Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of
baptismal grace:
—it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [becom-
ing adopted sons and daughters of God] which makes us
cry, “Abba! Father!”;
—it unites us more firmly to Christ;
—it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
—it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
—it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to
spread and defend the faith by word and action as true
witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly,
and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
—CCC, no. 1303
As the words of the liturgy indicate, the person being confirmed is sealed
with the Holy Spirit. This seal is called a
character
, marking the person
forever as called to fulfill the Church’s mission in all the circumstances
of life.
The one who gives us security with you in Christ and who
anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given
the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment. (2 Cor 1:21-22)
THE MISSION AND WITNESS OF
THE CONFIRMED
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary
witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the
world. Through Confirmation, our personal relationship with Christ is
strengthened.We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more inten-
sive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who
asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the
community in loving service.
The Holy Spirit bestows seven gifts—wisdom, understanding,
knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety, and fear of the Lord—to assist us