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208 • Part II. The Sacraments: The Faith Celebrated
in our mission and witness. The impact of these gifts accompanies us in
the various stages of our spiritual development.
As the confirmed, we walk with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Wisdom enables us to see the world from God’s viewpoint, which can
help us come to grasp the purpose and plan of God. It grants us the long-
range view of history, examining the present in the light of the past and
the mystery of the future. It saves us from the illusion that the spirit of
the times is our only guide. The Spirit’s gift of knowledge directs us to a
1. Who may receive Confirmation?
Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Since Baptism,
Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that
“the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the
appropriate time.” (CCC, no. 1306, citing CIC, can. 890)
2. How should candidates for Confirmation be prepared?
Preparation
for Confirmation should aim at leading the
Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and
a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit—his actions,
his gifts, and his biddings—in order to be more capable
of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian
life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive
to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus
Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish commu-
nity. The latter bears special responsibility for the prepa-
ration of confirmands. (CCC, no. 1309)
3. Why do we not receive Confirmation more than once?
Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark, or
indelible character on the Christian’s soul; for this reason
one can receive this Sacrament only once in one’s life.
(CCC, no. 1317)
FROM THE CATECHISM