The Sacrament of Confirmation Chapter 4 The Gift

The Sacrament of Confirmation Chapter 4

The Gift of Speech (Ch. 4 -1) • Confirmation has also been called the “Sacrament of the Holy Spirit” – “Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence… fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence” (Rite of Confirmation 41, 42) • The Holy Spirit conforms the candidates for Confirmation to Christ and enables them to share Christ with others. • Inspires Catholics to promote love and unity between all people.

Understanding the Sacrament of Confirmation (Ch. 4 -2) • Through Confirmation we are: – “more perfectly bound to the Church by the sacrament of Confirmation, and the Holy Spirit endows us with special strength so that we are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith, both by word and by deed, as true witnesses of Christ. ” (Lumen Gentium, 11) • Baptism unites us with Christ, the Holy Spirit, received through Confirmation, perfects our mission to share the Good News of Christ with all people. – Evangelization – The Apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost • The Spirit helped the Apostles bear true witness to Jesus even in times of persecution.

Origins of the Sacrament of Confirmation • The Apostles imparted the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized members of the Church by the laying on of hands. – Symbolizes the giving of the Father’s own Spirit to the recipient. – Today, the bishop extends his hands over candidates for Confirmation, which indicates that the Holy Spirit resides and acts within them. • Early in the Church anointing with Chrism became a ritual – Used to mark as sacred (consecration) – Made of Olive Oil, which symbolizes abundance (The outpouring of grace from the Holy Spirit) and balsam, which is a perfume and symbolizes the “sweetness” of living a virtuous life and imitating Christ.

Two Traditions of the Sacrament Emerge • In the Early Church, Baptism and Confirmation were part of one single celebration – The sacraments became separate due to the logistics of the bishop being the minister of the sacraments • The number of baptisms had increased as well as the size of each diocese • Western and Eastern Tradition of Confirmation is created – West: Baptize infants and receive Confirm adults – East: Infants Confirmed and Baptized

Teachings About Confirmation • The appropriate age for Confirmation in the U. S. conference of bishops – Between “age of reason”, which is after the seventh year and age sixteen – Baptism is commonly celebrated years earlier • Confirmation recalls ones Baptism • Church wants to keep both sacraments intimately connected • For adults, all three sacraments of initiation are celebrated at the same time

CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION • Confirmation begins with the Chrism Mass – The consecration of the Sacred Chrism – Takes place once a year either on or close to Holy Thursday – Representatives from each parish in the diocese gather for Mass presided by the Bishop • During the Mass the Bishop blesses the Oil of the Catechumens as well as the Oil of the Sick, and the Chrism • Reminds us of the authority of the bishop as the official successor of the Apostles and representative of the Church.

The Rite of Confirmation • Takes place after Liturgy of the Word and candidates have been presented to bishop – Sitting in cathedra: a chair that further signifies his authority – Homily, lesson on Confirmation, renewal of baptismal promises follow • After Profession of Faith, the bishop extends his hands over the group and prays for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – Represents the laying of hands by the Apostles – May appoint a priest to represent him if unable to attend • Anointed with Sacred Chrism – Sign of the Cross on the forehead – Marks the one being confirmed with a spiritual seal • Identity with the Church • Sign of Peace – Demonstrates communion with bishop • General Intercession – Directed towards newly confirmed and their families

Confirmation Blessing • Liturgy of the Eucharist follows the rite of Confirmation – Bishop gives all those present a special blessing, reminding them of their own consecration to profess the true faith of God.

Who Can Be Confirmed? • Every baptized person not yet confirmed – Can and should! – Requires adequate prep and instruction • Develop candidate to desire an intimate relationship with Christ as well as a strong awareness of how the Holy Spirit works. • One must be in a state of grace – Receive Sacrament of Reconciliation prior

The Minister of the Sacrament • “Original minister” = a bishop – A successor to the Apostles – Have received fullness of the Sacrament of Orders – Being the minister signifies unity between those who receive it and the Church • Situations where a priest may be minister – Confirmation of adults at Easter Vigil Mass • Use Chrism consecrated by the bishop – When a person is in danger of death

THE GRACE OF CONFIRMATION • Intimately linked with Baptism – Flows from Baptism; continues what it begins – Baptism gives us new identity and washes away our sins. Confirmation builds on those grace and makes more receptive to the H. S. • Allows us to live as Gospel witnesses • Strengthens the Body of Christ • Celebrated only once – However, we continually receive the grace of the Holy Spirit throughout our lives • Helps us to keep growing closer to God • Gives us the strength to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross. CCC 1303

We Are Able to Live as God’s Children • When we experience God as Father we are drawn deeper as a member of His family. • As Father, God provides us with grace that He knows we need and that which we cannot provide ourselves

We Are United with Christ • Confirmation helps us “more perfectly become the image” of Christ. • Parable of the Sower (Matt 13: 1 -9) – Seeds represent Christians – Surface that seeds fall on represent the foundations of their faith • Weeds, rocks, thorns, good soil • Good soil represents the kind of faith we receive through Confirmation

We Receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Confirmation “increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. ” (CCC, 1303) • The Church defines these gifts as: – – – – Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord • Each help us to grow in holiness and act according to God’s Word.

Wisdom • Comes from a Greek word meaning “to see clearly” • Keeps our priorities straight – What is the most important thing? • Allows us to seek God first above all other things

Understanding • Helps us to see the bigger picture – The real truth or meaning • Allows us to see the spirit behind the laws rather than just the letters • Empathy for others – Put yourself in another’s situation

Counsel • Prudence (Thoughtful decision making) – Make our decisions according to God’s will rather than our own • Seeks advice from those who can be trusted – Positions within the Church • Gives sound and correct advice to others attempting to live out their Christian faith

Fortitude • Courage – Stands up for their beliefs and defends them even in the face of opposition and persecution • Use of God-given talents bravely – Reaches out to others in service

Knowledge • Come to know God and the Church on a different level – Actually experience Him

Piety • “Faithful obedience and love” • Reverence • Supreme loyalty – Seek to please God in all things

Fear of the Lord • Also known as the gift of “Wonder and Awe” • Causes us to never take God for granted – Never underestimate God – Never think you have Him figured out • Fear of offending God

We Form a Deeper Bond with the Church • These gifts shape our identity to match Christ’s – People witness similar attributes in us that they hear or read about Jesus having • This uniform action serves as witness to the Church and it’s unity – Universality; something so consistent cannot be the work of man but of gift from the Spirit

CONFIRMATION CONFERS A NEW CHARACTER • Transformation (different from Baptism) – Ownership/responsibility for our faith – “Soldiers for Christ” • Defend the faith rather than stand by and watch it get torn up – “Put away old self (flesh)and put on new self (Spirit)” • St. Paul • Sealed with the Holy Spirit – Our spiritual life grows, develops, and matures just as our physical body does