Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life Catholic Digital Resources presents . . . The Sacrament of Confirmation Entering into God’s special plan for your life © 2012 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources – catholicdr.com (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life What is the Sacrament of Confirmation? Q: What are the 3 Sacraments of Initiation? Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation work together to immerse us in the Christian life. Confirmation "confirms" what began in Baptism … and completes it. How? The Baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church. The Baptized are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit…. to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life When did Confirmation originate? When Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended upon him. Read Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus showed us what it means to be a Christian: At his baptism, the Father confirmed him by announcing, "This is my beloved Son" and by giving him his Holy Spirit. After this, Jesus' whole life and his whole mission were empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to do the will of the Father. And after his ascension to heaven, he gave his Holy Spirit to all who believed… (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life When did Confirmation originate? This fullness of the Spirit was not meant only for Christ. It was meant for all Christians. It's a sign of Christ's presence in us. God gives us his Spirit fully, without measure, without rationing it (John 3:34). The Apostles received the fullness of the Spirit on Pentecost. Read Acts 2:1-4 Filled with the Spirit, the Apostles preached boldly about Jesus, and 3000 were converted on that first day. All those who converted were baptized and received the Holy Spirit. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life When did Confirmation originate? God ministered to the world through the first Christians by working many signs and wonders. Christianity spread; many more were baptized. The Apostles confirmed the presence of the Holy Spirit in the newly Baptized by the laying on of hands. Read Acts 8:14-17 As the Apostles prayed, while laying their hands on the Baptized, they completed the grace of Baptism by activating the gift of the Spirit. They understood this as a Sacrament that both confirms and strengthens baptismal grace. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life When did Confirmation originate? Early in Church history, they added an anointing with perfumed oil (“chrism”). This anointing indicates that we are truly Christian. How? Oil represents abundance, joy, and healing. The perfume in the oil represents the fragrance of God's wonderful love. The Hebrew word for "Messiah" was translated to the Greek name "Christ" (Khristós), which means "Anointed". The anointing during Confirmation unites us more deeply to Christ. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life When did Confirmation originate? In the first centuries, Baptism and Confirmation were a single celebration: a “double sacrament” with the Bishop. As the Church grew, the Bishop could not reach everyone. The number of infant baptisms increased year-round. The number of rural parishes increased. The large size of dioceses prevented the bishop from being present at all baptisms. Therefore, baptisms were increasingly the responsibility of local priests. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life When did Confirmation originate? In the West (the Latin Rite Church), they waited for the Bishop to arrive to complete the Baptisms. This is called “Confirmation.” Thus the two sacraments became separated by time. This is the tradition we still have today. In Eastern Rite Churches, they have kept Baptism and Confirmation united. The priest who baptizes also confirms in the name of the Bishop, using oil from the Bishop. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life When did Confirmation originate? When the two Sacraments are separated… to keep them connected, the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the profession of faith. When anyone over the age of 7 is baptized… they immediately receive Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist in the same Mass. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life Why is Confirmation necessary? Read John 3:5-6 Jesus said: Water and Spirit Baptism by water gives us the fullness of God's Spirit so that we can be united to God. The Father says, “This is my beloved child, with whom I am very pleased.” Confirmation gives us fullness of life in the Holy Spirit so that we can be holy. Jesus says, “You are my friend, through whom I will minister to the world: healing it, teaching it, and bringing salvation to it.” (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

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Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life Choosing a Patron Saint Taking a new name for yourself is a sign that you want the Holy Spirit to change you through the grace of Confirmation. Jesus changed the name of some disciples to signify that they were taking on a new role for the Kingdom of God. For example: Simon was renamed Peter (meaning, “rock”) because of his future role as the first Pope. What Saint(s) do you admire? Why? Choose a Saint who exemplifies a quality you want. For example: If you want to be a more peaceful person, you might choose St. Francis of Assisi, who wrote the prayer “Make me a channel of Your peace.” (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life Choosing a Patron Saint Don't choose a Saint because you like the name. Choose a Saint because you like his/her personality. Be ready to answer these questions: Why did you pick this particular Saint? What do you have in common with this Saint? In what way, and why, do you aspire to be like this Saint? Ask for the prayers and intercession of the Saint you choose. (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

Confirmation: Entering into God’s plan for your life The Sacrament of Confirmation: Entering into God’s special plan for your life Are you ready? How do you want Confirmation to change you? Are you ready for the Holy Spirit to do something important when you're confirmed? Jesus wants to make the world a better place through you! The Father says, “You are my beloved child. I have a special plan for you!” (c) 2012 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com