Confirmation intensifies the gift of the Holy Spirit received at baptism. It is transformative. The person who is confirmed is changed. The recipient is no longer a child or beginner in the spiritual life, dependent upon the faith of others, but rather a full-fledged adult Catholic. The confirmand joyfully takes responsibility for his or her own faith, makes a firm lifelong commitment to Jesus, and is strongly connected to the community of believers, the body of Christ, the Church.

A confirmed person has a deep desire to grow in their relationship with Jesus. The bond is built with daily prayer, the regular reception of the Eucharist, weekly Mass attendance, reading the Bible, particularly the Gospels, approaching the sacrament of reconciliation, spiritual reading, retreats and ongoing adult religious education.

A confirmed person is proud to be a Christian and gives bold witness. The person exudes an authentic inner joy, performs good works, speaks the truth, works for justice, respects every person as their neighbor, is dependable and honest, is morally upright, and implements Gospel teaching, all in the open, in a public way, to draw attention not to self but to Christ.

A confirmed person is willing and eager to give testimony about their faith. The person shares their beliefs with others, speaks openly and with great conviction about Jesus and his Gospel, and does whatever possible to make the name of Jesus known and loved. The person is resolved to carry their faith to the surrounding neighborhood, school, workplace and the world.

A confirmed person is intent on living a good and holy life; practices the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love; the cardinal virtues of fortitude, justice, prudence, and temperance; and exemplifies the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

A confirmed person is strongly bound to the Church. An adult Catholic is a member of a parish, walks the Christian pilgrimage of life with fellow believers, makes good spiritual friends and is part of a spiritual family at church, prays with the community, volunteers with fellow members on community events and service projects, passes on the gift of faith to others, particularly children and those who are searching for God, and helps give corporate witness to others.

A confirmed person defends the faith. Should a fellow believer misrepresent authentic teaching or wander off course, one has an obligation to provide correct information and fraternal correction. If the Church is attacked by hostile outside forces, one has an obligation to resist evil, stand for the truth, refute errors, insist on the free exercise of religion, uphold the value of the Church, and protect the Church’s legitimate place in society and the world.

A confirmed person puts their faith into practice in numerous other ways: a disposition to generously share time, talent, and treasure; a willingness to sacrifice or suffer for the benefit of others; a commitment to selfless and dedicated service; the courage to do the right thing, especially in difficult circumstances; the openness to seek, listen, and obey God’s will and accept one’s vocational calling; the determination to go to battle with Satan and to resist temptation and sin with all one’s might; and to live one’s life for Christ.

Father Van Sloun is pastor of St. Bartholomew in Wayzata. This column is part of an ongoing series on confirmation.