Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (Acts 8:14-16)

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes Baptism.  In Confirmation the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon the believer in order that he or she might be continually strengthened to be an authentic witness to Christ in his or her life.  Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon the entire Church at Pentecost so does the Holy Spirit descend upon each believer at his or her reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  In this sacrament, the believer is confirmed by God to go forth and bear witness through the gift of the Holy Spirit! 

A person must be baptized and a member of the Catholic Church in order to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.  For adults, Confirmation is usually received through the RCIA process.  For youth, Confirmation is received after preparation through the parish confirmation program.  Confirmation typically takes place during 6th grade.