1. The Sacrament of Confirmation
Chapter 4

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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. CCC1303

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Fortitude Courage Use of God-given talents bravely
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

20. Knowledge Come to know God and the Church on a different level
Actually experience Him

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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