1. What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the Sacrament which gives me the strength always to be a good Catholic.
2. Who comes into my soul when I am confirmed?
The Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, comes into my soul when I am confirmed.
3. What does Confirmation do for my soul?
Confirmation –
1) makes the grace grow in my soul.
2) gives me the strength to stay away from sin and lead a good life.
3) gives me the strength never to be ashamed of my religion.
4. Can I get into Heaven without confirmation?
Yes, I can get into heaven without Confirmation, but it is more difficult.
5. Who gives Confirmation
Usually the Bishop gives the Sacrament of Confirmation.
6. What must I do to receive Confirmation worthily?
To receive Confirmation worthily, I must –
1) be a baptized Catholic,
2) have no mortal sin on my soul, and
3) be well instructed in the Catholic Religion.
7. Do I have to have a sponsor for Confirmation?
Yes, I have to have a sponsor for Confirmation, but not the same one I had for Baptism.
8. How many times can I be confirmed?
I can be confirmed only once.
9. Is it a sin to neglect Confirmation?
Yes, it is a sin to neglect Confirmation.
10. What is expected of a confirmed Catholic?
A confirmed Catholic should lead a good life and by prayer and good example try to bring non-Catholics to learn about the One True Church.
11. How is Confirmation given?
The Bishop holds his hands over those to be confirmed and then makes the Sign of the Cross on their foreheads with the Holy Oil. He then slaps each person lightly on the cheek.
12. What prayer does the Bishop say while confirming?
Over each person he confirms, the Bishop says: “I sign thee with the Sign of the Cross, and I confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
13. What is Chrism and what does it mean?
Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balm, blessed by the Bishop on the Thursday before Easter. It is a symbol of the strength received in Confirmation.
14. Why does the Bishop slap each person to be confirmed on the cheek?
The Bishop slaps each person to be confirmed lightly on the cheek to remind him that he must be ready to suffer all things for Jesus.
15. Did the Apostles ever give Confirmation?
Yes, the Apostles gave the Sacrament of Confirmation.
When the Apostles … had heard that Samaria received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For He was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts of the Apostles 8:14-17).