Confirmation: Consecrated for Mission

1
Confirmation Consecrated for Mission

• USCCA Chapter 16
• Wednesday, November 25, 2015

2
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation, called Chrismation in the Eastern
   Church, is the second Sacrament of initiation,
   along with Baptism and the Eucharist.

3
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation seals the Baptized person with the
   gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthens them for
   service in the Body of Christ.

1. The prophets of the Old Testament foretold the
   coming of the Spirit.
2. Jesus mission occurred in communion with the
   Spirit.
3. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles on
   the evening of Easter Sunday and upon all
   Christians on Pentecost.

4
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation seals the Baptized person with the
   gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthens them for
   service in the Body of Christ.

1. In addition to Baptism, the Apostles laid hands
   on believers for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
2. By the second century, Confirmation was also
   conferred by anointing with holy oil, called
   sacred Chrism. Oil signifies cleansing,
   strengthening and healing.

5
November 25, 2015

1. Each baptized person not yet confirmed can and
   should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. In
   the Latin Church, candidates should be

1. Between the age of discretion and sixteen.
2. In a state of grace.
3. Prepared by prayer and catechesis.
4. Committed to the responsibilities entailed by the
   sacrament.

6
November 25, 2015

1. The elements of the liturgy of Confirmation
   include

1. Renewal of Baptismal promises by the candidate.
2. The laying on or extending of hands by the
   bishop, with a prayer for the outpouring of the
   seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
3. The Anointing with Sacred Chrism on the forehead.
4. A Confirmation candidate can choose the name of a
   biblical, beatified or canonized person and learn
   how that individual was a witness to Christ.

7
November 25, 2015

1. In the Latin Church, the bishop is the ordinary
   minister of Confirmation, highlighting the
   Apostolic roots of the celebration of
   Confirmation.

1. In cases of adult baptism or adult reception into
   the Church, the bishop can delegate these
   faculties (permissions) to a priest.
2. In the Eastern Church, the priest confirms
   infants immediately after Baptism.

8
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation imparts a seal or character on the
   soul of the recipient that cannot be repeated and
   is permanent.

9
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of
   Baptismal grace. Confirmation

1. Roots us more deeply as children of God.
2. Unites us more firmly to Christ.
3. Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.

10
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of
   Baptismal grace. Confirmation

1. Renders our bond with the Church more perfect.
2. Gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to
   spread and defend the faith by word and action.

11
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation bestows on us the seven gifts of the
   Holy Spirit to help us spread and defend the
   faith.

1. Wisdom enables us to see the world from Gods
   viewpoint.
2. Knowledge directs us to contemplation of the
   mystery of the Triune God.
3. Understanding stimulates us to work on knowing
   ourselves as part of our growth in God.
4. Fortitude prepares us to stand up for Christ when
   our faith is challenged.

12
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation bestows on us the seven gifts of the
   Holy Spirit to help us spread and defend the
   faith.

1. Counsel helps us to sense the interior teaching
   that the Spirit gives us about our moral lives.
2. Piety helps us respect God who created us.
3. Fear of the Lord helps us to see our relationship
   with God with honesty.

13
November 25, 2015

1. Confirmation bestows on us the seven gifts of the
   Holy Spirit to help us spread and defend the
   faith.

• Responsiveness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit
  will bring about the Fruit of the Spirit in our
  lives
• Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
  generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty,
  self-control, and chastity.

14
For Discussion

1. What challenges to spreading the love of Christ
   do you experience on a daily basis? How has (or
   can) the grace of Confirmation help you to
   witness to Christs love in those situations?
2. Memorize the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in
   Galatians 522-23.