171 Q. 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.

“Openly profess”—­that is, acknowledge that he is a Catholic when it is necessary to do so.  He need not proclaim it in the streets.  “Practice” it without regard for what other people think, say, or do.  “Ashamed” of a religion so glorious as the Catholic religion?  Would we not be proud to belong to a society of which kings and princes were members?  Well, a few centuries ago nearly all the kings, princes, and great men of the earth were Catholics.  All the saints were Catholics.  All the Popes were Catholics.  At present over three hundred million people in the world are Catholics.  This Church was founded when Christ Our Lord was on earth, and is nearly two thousand years old.  All the other churches are only a few hundred years old.  We ought, therefore, to be proud of our religion, for which and in which so many noble persons died.  We should feel proud that we are Catholics; while Protestants should feel ashamed in our presence, for they have deserted the true standard of Christ, and followed some other leader who set up a religion of his own in opposition to the true Church of Our Lord.  They will not have the cross or crucifix, the standard of Christ, in their churches or houses or about their persons, and yet they claim to be Christians redeemed by the Cross.  We are called upon to defend or profess our religion when we have to do what the Church and God require us to do:  for example, hear Mass on Sundays and holy days; abstain from the use of fleshmeat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent, fast on fast-days, and the like, when we are among persons not Catholics.

172 Q. Why does the bishop give the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek?  A. The bishop gives the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek to put him in mind that he must be ready to suffer anything, even death, for the sake of Christ.

173 Q. To receive Confirmation worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace?  A. To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace.

174 Q. What special preparation should be made to receive Confirmation?  A. Persons of an age to learn should know the chief mysteries of faith and the duties of a Christian, and be instructed in the nature and effects of this Sacrament.

How can one be a good soldier who does not know the rules and regulations of the army nor understand the commands of his general?  How can one be a good Christian who does not understand the laws of the Church and the teachings of Christ?  The “nature”—­that is, understand the Sacrament itself.  “Effects”—­that is, what it does in our souls.

175 Q. Is it a sin to neglect Confirmation?  A. It is a sin to neglect Confirmation, especially in these evil days when faith and morals are exposed to so many and such violent temptations.