Do We Truly Know Our Spiritual Gifts After Confirmation?

By James Katende – The sacrament of Confirmation is a sacred moment in the life of every Catholic—a divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a seal of strength and purpose. In this moment, the gifts of the Spirit are given in full measure: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Yet, one must ask a question that echoes deeply across every parish, every youth group, every family: Do we truly know the spiritual gifts we’ve been given? And more importantly, are we using them, or letting them waste away like the servant who buried his talent in fear?

The truth is this: many receive Confirmation as a milestone—a box to be checked, a rite of passage. But far too few truly understand that this sacrament is not the end of faith formation; it is the beginning of a powerful, lifelong mission. God doesn’t confirm us to sit quietly in pews. He confirms us so we might stand boldly in the world. The Holy Spirit doesn’t descend just to comfort us, but to commission us. Each of us, upon being confirmed, receives not only the traditional gifts of the Spirit but also unique spiritual gifts—charisms—given by God for the building up of the Church and the betterment of humanity. Some are called to teach, others to lead, to heal, to pray with power, to serve, to give generously, to speak truth, to evangelise, to encourage. But unless we seek to know and activate these gifts, they remain hidden and unused. The Spirit doesn’t force His way into our lives; He waits for us to awaken, to ask, to desire, and to act.

This is where the parable of the talents speaks with sobering clarity. In Matthew 25, the master entrusts his servants with resources—five, two, and one talent respectively. The ones who used what they were given saw increase, joy, and reward. But the one who buried his gift out of fear was condemned not for what he did, but for what he failed to do. So too it is with our spiritual gifts. They are not ornaments to be admired; they are tools for transformation. When we bury them under insecurity, laziness, doubt, or apathy, we waste what God gave for a reason. Too many confirmed Catholics are spiritually dormant—gifted but disengaged. The Church suffers when its members forget that they are not spectators but co-workers with Christ. There is a fire meant to burn in every confirmed soul, yet we’ve allowed that flame to flicker into cold ash through neglect and distraction. But the Spirit is still willing. The gifts are still present. The calling still stands.

It is time to rediscover our spiritual identity. This begins with prayer—asking God to reveal the gifts He has given. It continues with discernment—seeking guidance, studying Scripture, and listening to the stirrings of our heart. It matures through action—stepping out in faith, trying, failing, learning, and growing. Every gift becomes stronger in the using. These gifts are never meant for self-promotion or personal comfort. They are meant to uplift, empower, and heal others. The teacher brings light to the confused. The intercessor breaks chains in prayer. The encourager lifts the depressed. The servant lightens the burden of the weary. Each gift, when used, builds the Kingdom. Each time we use our gifts for the good of others, we multiply them like the faithful servants in the parable.

The Church today needs a great awakening—a generation of confirmed Catholics who don’t just wear the title, but walk in the power. The world is desperate for hope, truth, and healing. And God has already placed within His people the gifts to answer that call. What is needed now is courage and obedience. We must stop burying what Heaven has invested. No gift is too small. No person is too insignificant. Every believer, young or old, has a role to play. The same Spirit that filled the apostles, the saints, and the martyrs is the same Spirit given to you. He is not distant. He is waiting.

Let us not waste what we’ve been given. Let us not stand before God with empty hands and buried gifts. Instead, let us rise, ignite the fire within, and use every gift we have to bless, to heal, to lead, and to love. We have been confirmed for such a time as this.