Heal Each Wound and Bend Each Will

However, every sacrament has both an outward sign and an inward grace. What are these in Confirmation? First, the external thing, material instrument of God’s grace to my soul, is the anointing of my forehead by the Bishop with the consecrated oil. That is the essential outward sign. What is the inward grace? Strength. In the East, oil, which is at once a food and a preservative of the skin, is frequently used among athletes. It is, indeed, the source of the strength of the toilers and is mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures as the symbol of that which it helps to produce. Hence, the oil is the external representation of that inner strength that the soul requires.

Usually, Confirmation is administered to children when they stand upon the threshold of life, when they are beginning to feel that they will have to overcome and endure many difficulties—when they are becoming conscious that life grows not easier, but harder. Can I remember that at that age I discovered that not everyone agreed with me regarding the duties owed to God and all those duties entailed? I found that the things I held sacred and the people I had been taught to reverence were now held up to my ridicule and the things I had been afraid to do, afraid even to think about, were spoken of and done openly before me without shame. Even my own inclinations began suddenly to become stronger. Unsuspected instincts and hidden forces that I did not yet understand began to be felt and to give pleasure.

Thus, the full practice of faith, hope, and love grew increasingly difficult to observe. Then I was confirmed and these tendencies were henceforth to be counteracted by the indwelling within me, not merely of grace, but of the very Spirit of God. He Himself was to take charge of my soul.