"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesised." --- Acts 19: 6
"Of the doctrine of baptisms and the laying on of hands and of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgement." --- Hebrews 6: 2
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith and words accompanied by deeds.
Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life.
In the Latin Church this sacrament is administered when the age of reason has been reached, in its celebration is ordinarily reserved to the Bishop, thus signifying that this sacrament strengthens thee ecclesial bond.
A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.
The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism, together with the laying on of the minister's hand and the words: "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."