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Week of 05/11/08
Week of 05/11/08
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Confirmation: “...and they received the Holy Spirit.”
The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of three Sacraments of Initiation in the
Catholic Church the other two being Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. The
Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the
person being confirmed; just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on
Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once. Confirmation
increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism. (cf. Acts 8:14-17)
We receive seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation:
The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of three Sacraments of Initiation in the
Catholic Church the other two being Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. The
Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the
person being confirmed; just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on
Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once. Confirmation
increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism. (cf. Acts 8:14-17)
We receive seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation:
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It is usual for the Bishop to confirm candidates for Confirmation; however for
practical reasons, permission may be given to the parish priest to carry out the
Sacrament. After renewing baptismal promises, the Bishop will stretch his
hands out over the heads of the candidates as he prays that God will send His
Holy Spirit to be “helper and guide.” This also signifies that the candidate is
given the special job of living in keeping with the Gospel values.
practical reasons, permission may be given to the parish priest to carry out the
Sacrament. After renewing baptismal promises, the Bishop will stretch his
hands out over the heads of the candidates as he prays that God will send His
Holy Spirit to be “helper and guide.” This also signifies that the candidate is
given the special job of living in keeping with the Gospel values.
After this, candidates are anointed with the sign of the
cross using the Oil of Chrism. This is an ancient sign of
being chosen by God. The oil symbolizes becoming a full
member of the Church and a true child of God. It is a sign
strength and healing.
There are five effects of Confirmation given in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church (1303):
true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of
Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
cross using the Oil of Chrism. This is an ancient sign of
being chosen by God. The oil symbolizes becoming a full
member of the Church and a true child of God. It is a sign
strength and healing.
There are five effects of Confirmation given in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church (1303):
- It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as sons
- It unites us more firmly to Christ.
- It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
- It renders our bond with the Church more perfect.
- It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to
true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of
Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
Normally received by young adults, the Sacrament of Confirmation is often
wrongly viewed as a Sacrament of “graduation.” While the contrary is true;
Confirmation is only a beginning. Many of the recently-confirmed struggle to
explain the exact effect the Sacrament has on their lives. It is important to
remember that Confirmation marks a new stage on their path to salvation.
Recipients of the Sacrament are given the graces to go forth from Confirmation
empowered for service, anointed like royalty, signed with Christ’s cross and
gifted with peace.
In Hebrews 6:2, we read: "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings of
Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from
acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the
laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment".
We must walk through the successive stages of our Christian journey to
salvation—repentance, faith, baptism, confirmation, resurrection, and judgment.
Confirmation is the stage of the journey where grace is given so that the
Christian is ready to start listening to the call of the Holy Spirit in his life.
Confirmation normally comes at a time when a young adult needs guidance. Our
world is one in which materialism is widely embraced, but through Confirmation,
the candidates are give the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide them in resisting
the call of our materialistic age.
In some respects, these spiritual gifts imparted through Confirmation can be
likened to a gift card. There is a monetary value associated with the gift card,
but if it remains in your wallet, you will not receive the benefits of the gift
card. Likewise, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given so that they can be used.
But, unlike a gift card which can be used up, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are
inexhaustible in their ability to strengthen the Catholic to live the true Christian
life and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“..and this is how we know that He LIVES in us; we know it by the Spirit He gave
us.” [1 John 3:24]
wrongly viewed as a Sacrament of “graduation.” While the contrary is true;
Confirmation is only a beginning. Many of the recently-confirmed struggle to
explain the exact effect the Sacrament has on their lives. It is important to
remember that Confirmation marks a new stage on their path to salvation.
Recipients of the Sacrament are given the graces to go forth from Confirmation
empowered for service, anointed like royalty, signed with Christ’s cross and
gifted with peace.
In Hebrews 6:2, we read: "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings of
Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from
acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the
laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment".
We must walk through the successive stages of our Christian journey to
salvation—repentance, faith, baptism, confirmation, resurrection, and judgment.
Confirmation is the stage of the journey where grace is given so that the
Christian is ready to start listening to the call of the Holy Spirit in his life.
Confirmation normally comes at a time when a young adult needs guidance. Our
world is one in which materialism is widely embraced, but through Confirmation,
the candidates are give the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide them in resisting
the call of our materialistic age.
In some respects, these spiritual gifts imparted through Confirmation can be
likened to a gift card. There is a monetary value associated with the gift card,
but if it remains in your wallet, you will not receive the benefits of the gift
card. Likewise, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given so that they can be used.
But, unlike a gift card which can be used up, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are
inexhaustible in their ability to strengthen the Catholic to live the true Christian
life and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“..and this is how we know that He LIVES in us; we know it by the Spirit He gave
us.” [1 John 3:24]