Sacrament of Confirmation

• Confirmation


  One of the three sacraments of initiation
• Chrismation


  The term used for Confirmation by the Eastern Catholic churches in communion with Rome
• Confirmation is not something one does to graduate
• Confirmation is not something one does just to get married in the Catholic church
• Confirmation cannot be reduced to a rite of passage
• Confirmation is not a cultural celebration or party
• 
  

  Confirmation is a sacrament (holy mystery) that communicates and reveals communion with God and His grace
• Confirmation


  Confers a sacramental character that cannot be erased and that predisposes the Christian person to receive the very life of God and His divine protection
• Confirmation


  Completes the baptismal grace
• Confirmed person


  Is compelled to witness the Christian faith with conviction by word and deeds
• Confirmation


  Perpetuates (keeps alive) the grace of Pentecost
• Confirmation


  Has Messianic (salvific) character
• Christ (Messiah) promised to send His spirit. This promise was fulfilled on Easter Sunday and Pentecost
• Like Christ, we are anointed (chosen)


  Chrismation comes from the word Christ (the anointed one)
• Like Christ, we are anointed to

  Proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God
• Confirmation involves

  • A mature faith (a desire to grow in the knowledge of God)
  • A commitment to one's faith (church)
  • A commitment to know more about our faith's teachings, practices, and traditions
• The spirit of God

  • Is given to us through the sacraments of initiation, we believe in the Holy Spirit
  • Lives in us
  • Acts through us
  • Assists us
  • Strengthens us
  • Guides us
• The spirit of God is present in our lives

  • In our baptism (we are marked forever)
  • In our confirmation (we are anointed and filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit)
  • In our daily lives (we are strengthened through the sacraments and the Lord's divine protection)
• Pentecost


  • The feast of the Holy Spirit
  • On Pentecost, the disciples of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit
  • The church mission began on Pentecost
• The effects of confirmation

  • Courage: mental strength
  • Hope: Positive outlook on life
  • Strength: the power to conquer temptation
  • Purpose: direction and meaning in life
  • Peace: the strength to overcome anxiety and fear
  • Grace: the power to do God's will
  • Truth: the power to do and follow what is right and true
• How is the sacrament of confirmation celebrated?

  1. The sacrament is celebrated through the anointing with chrism on the forehead

  2. And the laying on of hands

  3. And the words: be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit
• Confirmation in the East


  • Confirmation is celebrated after baptism
  • In the East, confirmation is known as chrismation
• Confirmation in the West


  • Confirmation is delayed to a later date
  • In the West, confirmation does not follow baptism (only in some exceptions)
• Why are we anointed with chrism?

  • Anointing with oil has been the practice for confirmation since the early church. Chrism is connected to the word Christ, "anointed one"
  • Oil is a symbol of strength and healing
  • Oil of catechumens: cleansing and strengthening
  • Oil of the sick: healing and comfort
  • Chrism: consecration (made holy) and service
• What happens at confirmation?

  The Christians received a spiritual seal, our soul is marked with the Holy Spirit and His strength
• Minister of confirmation

  • The original minister of confirmation is the bishop
  • Only the bishop can delegate (appoint) a priest to confirm in his name on special occasions or circumstances
  • In the Eastern churches, priests can confirm infants after baptism
• Role of the sponsor

  • To help the one being confirmed remain firm in the faith
  • Sponsors are role models of faith, their task is to give support and inspiration to those living the Christian faith
• Confirmation name


  • A name is chosen to remind us of baptism
  • A new name is a sign of a new life and a new way of living
• 5 spiritual effects of the sacrament of confirmation

  • Child of god - it roots us more deeply as children of god, which makes us cry "Abba Father"
• 5 spiritual effects of the sacrament of confirmation

  Closer to Christ - it unites us more firmly with our savior Jesus Christ
• 5 spiritual effects of the sacrament of confirmation

  Gifts of the holy spirit - it increases the gifts of the holy spirit in us: wisdom, counsel, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, piety, fear of the lord
• 5 spiritual effects of the sacrament of confirmation

  Fully catholic - it renders our bond with the catholic church more perfect
• 5 spiritual effects of the sacrament of confirmation

  Defend the faith - it gives us a special strength to spread and defend the faith as true witnesses of Jesus Christ
• 7 sacraments?

  wisdom, counsel, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, piety, fear of the lord