Sacraments
Confirmation
Confirmation completes baptismal grace by a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, strengthening the believer to live and defend the faith.
Catholic teaching
Confirmation imprints an indelible spiritual character and gives an increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit first received at baptism, uniting the believer more firmly to Christ and the Church for the mission of witness. It is ordinarily conferred through anointing with chrism by a bishop or his delegate.
Biblical foundation
In Acts, the apostles travel to Samaria specifically to lay hands on those already baptized so they might receive the Holy Spirit, a rite distinct from baptism itself. Paul similarly lays hands on disciples at Ephesus after their baptism, and the Spirit comes upon them.
Scripture references
Historical evidence
Tertullian and later St. Cyprian of Carthage in the third century describe a post-baptismal anointing and laying on of hands as a distinct, apostolic-derived rite conferring the Holy Spirit, already established practice in the North African Church.
The Church Fathers
“It is also necessary that he who is baptized should be anointed, that... he may receive the Holy Spirit.”