Having baptised and received First Communion, in Confirmation, a Christian completes their initiation into the Catholic faith. Confirmation perfects our Baptism. In Confirmation, a candidate's faith, which was made by their parents and godparents on their behalf at Baptism, is affirmed and he or she receives the gift of the Holy Spirit just the Apostles did on Pentecost Sunday to be Christ-like in the world. There are seven gifts which are often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

1. Wisdom: The ability to see God in everyone and everything everywhere
2. Understanding: The ability to comprehend that we are followers of Christ
3. Counsel (Right judgment): The ability to know right from wrong and to choose to do what is right
4. Piety (Reverence): The ability to have deep respect for God and the Church
5. Knowledge: The ability to understand the meaning of God
6. Fortitude (Courage): The ability to overcome our fear and to stand up for what is right in the eyes of God
7. Fear of the Lord (Wonder and awe): The ability to be aware that God is all-powerful, all-loving, all-perfect.

The gift of the Holy Spirit enabled the fearful Apostles hiding behind closed doors to fearlessly go out to proclaim the Good News of the resurrection.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to be aware of the presence and actions of God in the world; to be wise in our dealings and make good choices in life; to be courageous to stand up for the weak and disadvantaged and to overcome our selfish desires. In short, the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Confirmation empower us to live as authentic disciples of Christ.