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1289
Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name ‘Christian’, which means ‘anointed’ and derives from that of Christ himself whom God ‘anointed’ and derives from that of Christ himself whom God ‘anointed with the Holy Spirit’. This rite of anointing has continued ever since, in both East and West. For this reason the Eastern Churches call this sacrament Chrismation, anointing with chrism, or myron which means ‘chrism’. In the West, Confirmation suggests both the ratification of Baptism, thus completing Christian initiation, and the strengthening of baptismal grace - both fruits of the Holy Spirit.
1296 Christ himself declared that he was marked with his Father’s seal. Christians are also marked with a seal: ‘It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commisioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee’. This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrolment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial.
1316 Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.
1317 Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian’s soul; for this reason one can recieve this sacrament only once in one’s life.
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