What are two ways that the Holy Spirit helps confirmed Catholics?

Answer 1

Catholic AnswerThe specific effects of confirmation are listed in paragraph 1303 of the Catechism (below). Please be aware that confirmation is a seal, like baptism, that strengthens and perfects the graces originally given in Baptism and "seals" a person with the Holy Spirit. But without the individual's cooperation, very little outward happens, and although God has claimed that person as His own through Confirmation and strengthened His gifts, the person must cooperate with those gifts for them to have a effect on his way of life.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1285 Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose united must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. (Cf. Roman Ritual, Rite of Confirmation {Ordo confirmationis}, Introduction 1.) For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." (Lumen Gentium 11; cf. Ordo confirmationis, Introduction 2)

1295 By this anointing the confirmand receives the "mark," the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object. (Cf. Gen 38:18; 41:42; Deut 32:35; Catechesi tradendae 8:6) Hence soldiers were marked with their leader's seal and slaves with their master's. A seal authenticates a juridical act or document and occasionally makes it secret. (Cf. 1 Kings 21:8; Jer 32:10; Isa 29:11)

1302 It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

1303 From this fact, Confirmation brings and increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

- it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "ABBA! Father!; (Rom 8:15)

- it unites us more firmly to Christ;

- it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;

- it renders our bond with the church more perfect; (Cf. Lumen Gentium 11)

- it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross: (Cf. Council of Florence (1439): Denzinger-Schometzer, Enchiridion Symbolorum, definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et morum {1965} 1319; Lumen Gentium 11; 12)

Recall then that you received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the spirit, in your hearts. (St. Ambrose, De myst. 7, 42: J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Latina (Paris: 1841-1855) 16, 402-403)