The Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is the Sacrament which gives us the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. It completes the grace we receive at Baptism and helps to make us strong and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Confirmation is normally administered by a bishop, who anoints Candidates on the forehead with the holy oil of Chrism, the laying on of hands, saying: ‘Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit’.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are the permanent dispositions which help us to live the Christian life and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them.
There are seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are the virtues produced in our lives when we exercise the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
There are twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control, Chastity
