Confirmés

Confirmés refers to individuals who have received the sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church. This sacrament is one of the seven sacraments of initiation, alongside Baptism and the Eucharist. Confirmation is understood as strengthening the grace received at Baptism and sealing the recipient with the Holy Spirit. It is traditionally administered by a bishop, though a priest may be delegated. The sacrament involves the laying on of hands and the anointing with sacred chrism, a consecrated oil.

The effect of Confirmation is said to be an increase and deepening of the graces of Baptism, specifically the gift of the Holy Spirit. It confers a special strength from the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ. The recipient is also considered to be more perfectly bound to the Church and to be more equipped to fulfill the mission of Christ. In some traditions, it is considered a gateway to full membership and participation in church life, though this varies in practice.

The practice of Confirmation has evolved throughout Christian history. Early Christians often celebrated Baptism and Confirmation together. Over time, the two sacraments became more separated, particularly in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, where Confirmation is typically administered later in childhood or adolescence, after a period of catechesis. The Eastern Catholic Churches generally maintain the practice of administering Confirmation immediately after Baptism, even for infants.