Confirmation

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is"
(Jan L. A. van de Snepscheut; also attributed to Yogi Berra).

In theory, Confirmation is supposed to be the sacrament that strengthens the Baptized members of Jesus' Body for ministry, just as the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost completed the formation of the apostles and empowered them to preach the gospel to all nations. In the Latin Rite, it is usually given later in life when the recipient is ready to make an adult decision to join the Body of Christ and remain in it forever.

In practice, a scandalously large number of students perceive the sacrament as graduation from the Church rather than an adult commitment to the Church. Their parents create the conditions under which the meaning of the sacrament is completely reversed: "If you get Confirmed, then you may leave the Church."

Students treat Confirmation as graduation from Church. They act as if there is nothing more to receive from the Church and then move on to other things that they really care about.

"Can. 891: The sacrament of confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion unless the conference of bishops has determined another age, or there is danger of death, or in the judgment of the minister a grave cause suggests otherwise."[1]

Completion of Baptism

CCC #1288

"From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church" (Paul VI, Divinae consortium naturae, 659; cf. Acts 8:15-17; 19:5-6; Heb 6:2).