Although it is a rather brief and simple ceremony, confirmation has many important meanings for Catholics. The confirmation candidates renew their baptismal promises before being confirmed in their faith. These meanings are brought out not only by the words of the rite but also by the actions that take place and the people who are present.

The bishop is present during this sacrament because he represents the Church beyond the parish: the diocese and the universal Catholic Church. He is a reminder that to be an adult Catholic means to have a larger vision than one's neighborhood, and that Christian service means to be concerned for people around the world. By being presented to the bishop and confirmed by him, the candidates symbolize their commitment to the universal Church and its mission to be the Body of Christ inspired by his Spirit to bring the Good News of salvation to everyone.

In confirmation the candidates acknowledge that this is the faith they intend to live up to. They affirm that they will be receptive to the power of the Holy Spirit as it leads them to be more active in fulfilling the Church's mission.

The sponsors, parents, and the faithful gathered signify by their presence that they recognize the spiritual growth taking place in the candidates being confirmed. They applaud the candidates' willingness to take a step toward becoming even more mature Christian men and women.

The central symbol of the sacrament is the anointing, which is done with chrism and in the sign of the cross. This symbolizes that the confirmed are now fully initiated into the spirit-filled Body of Christ. The word Christ means "the anointed one," and the name of the oil, chrism, is a reminder of that. The anointing in the sign of the cross reminds the candidates that if they are to follow Christ, they must take up his cross by dying to themselves and living to serve others, just as Jesus did. And the fact that the central action of the rite is an anointing calls to mind that in the Scriptures, when people are filled with the Holy Spirit, they are said to be "anointed by the Spirit."

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