days (of the
Church) the Holy Ghost came down on believers, and they spoke in tongues
which they had not learned.... These were miracles suited to the times....
Is it now expected that they upon whom hands are laid should speak with
tongues? Or, when we imposed hands on these children, did each of you wait
to see whether they would speak with tongues?... If, then, there be not
now a testimony to the presence of the Holy Spirit by means of these
miracles, whence is it proved that he has received the Holy Spirit? Let
him ask his own heart; if he loves his brother, the Spirit of God abides
in him."(358)

Following in the footsteps of the Apostles we find the Fathers of the
Church, from the earliest age, recognizing Confirmation as a Divine and
sacramental institution and proclaiming its salutary effects.

"The flesh," says Tertullian, "is _anointed_, that the soul may be
consecrated; the flesh is marked, that the soul may be fortified; the
flesh is overshadowed _by the imposition of hands_, that the soul may be
enlightened with the Spirit."(359)

St. Cyprian, speaking of the Christians baptized in Samaria, says:
"Because they had received the legitimate baptism, ... what was wanting,
that was done by Peter and John, that prayer being made for them and hands
imposed, the Holy Ghost should be invoked and poured forth upon them.
_Which now also is done amongst us_, so that they who are baptized in the
Church are presented to the Bishops of the Church, and by our prayer and
imposition of hands they receive the Holy Ghost and are perfected with the
seal of the Lord."(360)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem compares the sacred Chrism in Confirmation to the
Eucharist: "You were anointed with oil, being made sharers and partners of
Christ. And see well that you regard it not as mere ointment; for, as the
bread of the Eucharist, after the invocation of the Holy Ghost, is no
longer mere bread but the body of Christ, so likewise this holy ointment
is no longer common ointment after the invocation, but the gift of Christ
and of the Holy Ghost, being rendered efficient by His Divinity. You were
anointed on the forehead, that you might be delivered from the shame which
the first transgressor always experienced, and that you might contemplate
the glory of God with an unveiled countenance.... As Christ, after His
baptism and the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Him, going forth overcame
the adversary, so you likewise, after holy baptism and the mys