Prayer for the Sacrament of Confirmation

The Confirmation (in Latin Confirmatio) is the second of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation, conferred by the Bishop (or by a delegated priest) through the laying on of hands and the anointing of the forehead with Sacred Chrism, with the essential formula «Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit». The Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1303 lists the effects: deepening of divine filiation, more firm union with Christ, increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, more perfect bond with the Church, special strength to spread and to defend the faith by word and by action («fortes ad Christum confitendum»). The Council of Trent, Session VII (1547), can. 1 on Confirmation, defined under anathema that «the Confirmation of the baptised is a true and proper sacrament, and not merely an idle ceremony». This prayer may be made on the day of Confirmation or on its anniversary, and by parents and godparents for the one being confirmed.

Holy Spirit, Paraclete promised by the Lord before the Ascension and sent on the day of Pentecost upon the Church: today (or on the day (N.)) I received (or he/she received) the sacrament of Confirmation. Through it you communicated yourself to me in a new and definitive way, sealing me as your property by the Sacred Chrism, and strengthening in me the baptismal grace through the laying on of hands of the Bishop, successor of the Apostles.

Grant me to live what I have received: that the seven gifts deposited in me at Baptism and sealed at Confirmation may bear fruit in the concrete works of each day. Take from me the human shame of confessing you publicly; clothe me with the fortitude of the Apostles after the Cenacle, that I may be before the world «fortis ad Christum confitendum» — strong to confess Christ, in words, in choices, in sufferings.

If I am a Confirmation godfather or godmother, make me worthy of this mission to spiritually accompany the godchild until eternal life, by prayer and by example.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.