Though several Christian denominations offer Confirmation to their members, the origins of the sacrament lie in the Catholic Church. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which contains a summary of Catholic doctrine, Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation with Baptism and Eucharist being the other two. The sacrament is believed to increase and deepen the grace bestowed on an individual at Baptism while equipping the person confirmed with the power to profess the faith publicly. Like Baptism, Confirmation is administered only once during a person's life. Except in emergency situations, Confirmation is usually not offered until someone reaches the "age of discretion."
Before the sacrament is given, a person is required to be in a "state of grace," having recently taken part in the sacrament of Reconciliation and also having devoted oneself to sincere prayer. Additionally, one typically enlists a "sponsor" -- a lay or religious person -- for spiritual guidance before the sacrament.
During the sacrament of Confirmation, a person is asked to renew his baptismal promises and profess his faith. A bishop -- who ordinarily confers this sacrament except in special circumstances -- extends hands over those being confirmed and prays that the Holy Spirit be sent upon them. The confirmand, the person being confirmed, is anointed with sacred chrism on the forehead as a sign of the seal of the Holy Spirit. In Eastern Churches, additional parts of the body are anointed with chrism as well. This anointing harkens back to the anointing that person received at baptism. Often, the person confirmed chooses as a new name the name of a saint to act as a model for behavior and a patron.
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