Chapter 11: ConfirmationChapter 11: Confirmation

Sacrament that perfects grace Sacrament that perfects grace received in Baptismreceived in Baptism

Acts 2:1-4 and 8:14-17Acts 2:1-4 and 8:14-17

Before Pentecost the Apostles and Before Pentecost the Apostles and members of the Church were afraid and members of the Church were afraid and hid behind locked doorshid behind locked doors

After the coming of the Holy Spirit each After the coming of the Holy Spirit each member received gifts that strengthened member received gifts that strengthened them individually and as a wholethem individually and as a whole

Went out and preached the GospelWent out and preached the Gospel

When the Apostles baptized When the Apostles baptized converts they also laid hands converts they also laid hands on them on them so that they on them on them so that they would receive the same gifts would receive the same gifts

of the Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit

Continues today as ConfirmationContinues today as Confirmation

Confirmation passes on the Confirmation passes on the graces of Pentecostgraces of Pentecost by the by the

laying on of hands,laying on of hands, anointing anointing of of oiloil and words, and words, “Be sealed “Be sealed

with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

PerfectsPerfects the grace of Baptism the grace of Baptism

Baptism = 1Baptism = 1stst of 7 Sacraments that gives us of 7 Sacraments that gives us forgiveness of our sins, unites us with God and forgiveness of our sins, unites us with God and makes us members of the Churchmakes us members of the Church

Confirmation = Sacrament that Confirmation = Sacrament that completes thecompletes the grace of grace of BaptismBaptism by a special outpouring of the by a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit;Holy Spirit; our union with Christ is our union with Christ is sealedsealed and and we are equipped to live a we are equipped to live a life of faithlife of faith

With graces of Confirmation we are able to With graces of Confirmation we are able to spread and defend the teachings of Christ and spread and defend the teachings of Christ and the Churchthe Church

Confirmation makes us Confirmation makes us Soldiers of Soldiers of ChristChrist

We cannot stand on the sidelinesWe cannot stand on the sidelines

Confirmation gives us strength and Confirmation gives us strength and courage to fightcourage to fight

We are given We are given increased love and strengthincreased love and strength to serve God and His Church so that we to serve God and His Church so that we can bring can bring ourselves and othersourselves and others to God to God

There is a great connection There is a great connection between between Baptism and Baptism and

ConfirmationConfirmation – Baptism – Baptism startsstarts the relationship with God and the relationship with God and

the Church, Confirmation the Church, Confirmation strengthens and confirmsstrengthens and confirms it it

Celebration of the Celebration of the RiteRite of of ConfirmationConfirmation

Done by Done by the Bishopthe BishopShows connection of Christ and the Shows connection of Christ and the

ApostlesApostles with with their successorstheir successors today today In special circumstances can be done by In special circumstances can be done by

PriestPriest In case of emergency or the Easter VigilIn case of emergency or the Easter VigilUsually done within Usually done within a Massa Mass

Presentation of the Presentation of the ConfirmandsConfirmands = those who are = those who are

to be to be ConfirmedConfirmed

Homily or Homily or InstructionInstruction

Advice on how to live as Soldiers Advice on how to live as Soldiers of Christof Christ

Given by the BishopGiven by the Bishop

Renewal of Renewal of Baptismal promisesBaptismal promises

Reject Reject SatanSatan and believe in and believe in GodGod the the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, the ChurchChurch and eternal life = the and eternal life = the creedcreed

Symbolizes that Confirmation Symbolizes that Confirmation followsfollows and and is is linkedlinked to Baptism, also reminds of to Baptism, also reminds of ourour commitmentcommitment made in Baptism made in Baptism

Laying on Laying on of handsof hands and and AnointingAnointing with Chrism oilwith Chrism oil

Essential actEssential act of rite of rite

From From ScriptureScripture – Apostles laid hands on – Apostles laid hands on people to give them Holy Spiritpeople to give them Holy Spirit

Bishop extends his hands and Bishop extends his hands and prays over prays over the Confirmandsthe Confirmands

Chrism oil on thumb and make Chrism oil on thumb and make sign of sign of crosscross on on foreheadforehead and say: “Be sealed and say: “Be sealed with the with the gift of the Holy Spiritgift of the Holy Spirit.” Respond: .” Respond: “Amen”“Amen” Also used in Also used in BaptismBaptism

Another indicator of the connection of Baptism and Another indicator of the connection of Baptism and ConfirmationConfirmation

Sign of PeaceSign of PeaceShows Confirmand is in Shows Confirmand is in communioncommunion with with

Bishop and whole ChurchBishop and whole Church

Who receives Confirmation?Who receives Confirmation?

All those who have All those who have been Baptizedbeen Baptized and not and not ConfirmedConfirmed

Only receive it once, like BaptismOnly receive it once, like BaptismEveryoneEveryone needs to receive it for needs to receive it for full full

initiationinitiation into the Church into the ChurchSacraments of Initiation = Sacraments of Initiation = Baptism, Baptism,

Confirmation and EucharistConfirmation and Eucharist

Confirmands must meet following Confirmands must meet following requirementsrequirements

Be in state of Be in state of gracegraceGo to Confession beforehandGo to Confession beforehand

Have reached Have reached age of reasonage of reasonUsually older than 7Usually older than 7

Make a Make a profession of faithprofession of faithState their State their intentionintention to receive the to receive the

SacramentSacramentAccept their Accept their obligation to profess Christobligation to profess Christ in in

both the Church and worldboth the Church and world

Is customary now to Is customary now to administer Confirmation at administer Confirmation at beginning of high schoolbeginning of high school

In the USIn the US

Time before Confirmation Time before Confirmation should be filled with should be filled with

catechesiscatechesis (teaching of the (teaching of the faith) and faith) and prayerprayer

Time of preparing for Time of preparing for responsibilities and identityresponsibilities and identity of of

being Confirmedbeing Confirmed

When Confirmed choose a When Confirmed choose a SponsorSponsor and a and a SaintSaint

Sponsor = someone who will help you Sponsor = someone who will help you live live out the faithout the faithMuch like a godparent at BaptismMuch like a godparent at Baptism

Saint = will serve as constant Saint = will serve as constant role modelrole model of service to Christof service to ChristSomeone who will pray for you and help guide Someone who will pray for you and help guide

you from Heavenyou from Heaven

Effects of ConfirmationEffects of Confirmation

Full outpouring of the Full outpouring of the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit as was given to as was given to the Apostles at Pentecostthe Apostles at Pentecost

Receive Receive indelible spiritual markindelible spiritual mark on soul on soul Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only onceLike Baptism, Confirmation is received only once

Baptismal graceBaptismal grace is increased and deepened is increased and deepened Confirmed person is rooted more deeply as a child of Confirmed person is rooted more deeply as a child of

GodGod Confirmed person is united more closely to ChristConfirmed person is united more closely to Christ

More effects … More effects …

Gifts of the Holy SpiritGifts of the Holy Spirit increase increase Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude,

knowledge, piety and fear of the Lordknowledge, piety and fear of the Lord Confirmed person’s bond with the Church is Confirmed person’s bond with the Church is

perfectedperfected Special gracesSpecial graces are given to the confirmed are given to the confirmed

person to enable them person to enable them to spread and defend the to spread and defend the faithfaith by word and deed as a true witness of by word and deed as a true witness of ChristChrist Become a Become a Soldier of ChristSoldier of Christ Confirmed person is enabled to confess Christ boldlyConfirmed person is enabled to confess Christ boldly

All graces of Confirmation All graces of Confirmation prepare us for the prepare us for the apostolateapostolate

of the Church = of the Church = evangelizationevangelization

ConclusionConclusion

Confirmation Confirmation perfects the graces of perfects the graces of BaptismBaptism, strengthening the bond between , strengthening the bond between a person and God and His Churcha person and God and His Church

Confirmation graces a person to witness Confirmation graces a person to witness Christ, to act Christ, to act as Jesus wouldas Jesus would