Confirmation (or Chrismation) is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit. The rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead with chrism, together with the laying on of the minister's hands and the words, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." The recipient receives the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit [Isaiah 11:2-3] and on occasion may receive one or more of the charismatic gifts of the Spirit [1 Corinthians 12:7-11].

The ecclesial effect and sacramental grace of the sacrament give the recipient the strength and character to witness for Jesus. In the East the priest administers the sacrament immediately after Baptism.

Confirmation in the West is administered by the Bishop from age 7 to  18, but generally in USA to adolescents, for example, to a graduating class of grade school children AND in our Diocese after the 10th grade.

The Acts of the Apostles is often called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit. In Chapter One Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, and Chapter Two begins with the Pentecost. Other key Scriptural sources for Confirmation are the following [See also Acts 1:4-5, 2:1-4, 2:38, 10:44-48]:

"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."  (Acts of the Apostles 8:14-17)

"While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied."  (Acts of the Apostles 19:1-6)