What is the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation?

Confirmation is the second of the Sacraments of Initiation. It is the completion and perfection of Baptism. (1) The apostles saw the people had received the word and were baptized but had not yet received the Spirit. “Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” (2) Likewise, when a person is receiving Confirmation the Bishop says, “Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sacnti” or in English, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”.

It used to be common practice for soldiers and servants to be marked with their leader’s seal and to be anointed with oil before being sent out to battle or to serve. Jesus declared that He was marked with the seal of His Father’s. (3) In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit marks us as soldiers and servants of Christ. Soldiers and servants with the strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action. (4) The special oil, sacred chrism, used has an aroma that is to remind us that our lives should give the “aroma of Christ”. (5)

The sacrament of Confirmation is a sign of joy, healing, and preparation for battle. (6)

Citations: (1) ccc 1288, (2) Acts 8:14-17, (3) John 6:27, (4) Council of Florence 1439, (5) ccc 1294, (6) ccc 1293