Q. 678.  In Confirmation, what does the extending of the bishop’s hands over us signify?  A. In Confirmation, the extending of the bishop’s hands over us signifies the descent of the Holy Ghost upon us and the special protection of God through the grace of Confirmation.

Q. 679. {169} What is holy chrism?  A. Holy chrism is a mixture of olive-oil and balm, consecrated by the bishop.

Q. 680.  What do the oil and balm in Holy Chrism signify?  A. In Holy Chrism, the oil signifies strength, and the balm signifies the freedom from corruption and the sweetness which virtue must give to our lives.

Q. 681.  How many holy oils are used in the Church?  A. Three holy oils are used in the Church, namely, the oil of the sick, the oil of catechumens, and holy chrism.

Q. 682.  What constitutes the difference between these oils?  A. The form of prayer or blessing alone constitutes the difference between these oils; for they are all olive oil, but in the Holy Chrism, balm is mixed with the oil.

Q. 683.  When and by whom are the holy oils blessed?  A. The holy oils are blessed at the Mass on Holy Thursday by the bishop, who alone has the right to bless them.  After the blessing they are distributed to the priests of the diocese, who must then burn what remains of the old oils and use the newly blessed oils for the coming year.

Q. 684.  For what are the holy oils used?  A. The holy oils are used as follows:  The oil of the sick is used for Extreme Unction and for some blessings; the oil of catechumens is used for Baptism and Holy Orders.  Holy Chrism is used at Baptism and for the blessing of some sacred things, such as altars, chalices, church-bells, &c., which are usually blessed by a bishop.

{T.N.:  The above answer omits that Holy Chrism is used also at Confirmation.  See Q. 677.}

Q. 685. {170} What does the bishop say in anointing the person he confirms?  A. In anointing the person he confirms the bishop says:  “I sign thee with the sign of the cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Q. 686. {171} What is meant by anointing the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross?  A. By anointing the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross is meant that the Christian who is confirmed must openly profess and practice his faith, never be ashamed of it; and rather die than deny it.

Q. 687.  When must we openly profess and practice our religion?  A. We must openly profess and practice our religion as often as we cannot do otherwise without violating some law of God or of His Church.

Q. 688.  Why have we good reason never to be ashamed of the Catholic faith?  A. We have good reason never to be ashamed of the Catholic Faith because it is the Old Faith established by Christ and taught by His Apostles; it is the Faith for which countless Holy Martyrs suffered and died; it is the Faith that has brought true civilization, with all its benefits, into the world, and it is the only Faith that can truly reform and preserve public and private morals.