CONFIRMATION FACTS

 

Confirmation welcomes us as a Sacrament of Initiation.

 

n       Confirmation is linked to Baptism and Eucharist.

n       Confirmation is part of our initiation into the faith community.

n       Confirmation strengthens the spiritual maturation of the individual.

 

1113      The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments.

 

1285            Baptism, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation,” whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.

 

For, by the Sacrament of Confirmation, (the baptized) are more perfectly bound to the church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.

 

1308            Although Confirmation is sometimes called the “sacrament of Christian maturity,” we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need “ratification” to become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of this:

Age of body does not determine age of soul. Even in childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book of Wisdom says: “For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years.” Many children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood.

 

We are Confirmed in the name of God the Creator, Redeemer and Holy Spirit.

 

n       Confirmation is part of the welcoming initiative of God the creator.

n       Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ.

n       Confirmation strengthens us with the Holy Spirit.

 

1286  In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped-for Messiah for his saving mission. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his Baptism by John was the sign that this was he who was to come, the Messiah, the Son of God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit; his whole life and his whole mission are carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit who the Father gives him ‘without measure.’

 

1287    This fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah’s, but was to be communicated to the whole messianic people. On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit, a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly at Pentecost. Filled with the Holy Spirit the apostles began to proclaim “the mighty works of God,” and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be the sign of the messianic age. Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their turn.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirmation strengthens us for discipleship, mission and witness to our faith.

n       Confirmation empowers us to witness to our faith.

n       Confirmation links us to the ministry of Christ and the mission of the Church.

n       Confirmation initiates young people into the adventure of discipleship.

n       Preparation for Confirmation is a moment of conversion, which includes celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation.

1302  It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

1303      From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: - it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, “Abba! Father!”; - it unites us more firmly to Christ;  - it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us; - it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit 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:

Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God’s presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts. (St. Ambrose)

1309    Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit — his actions, his gifts, and his biddings — in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community.

Cross Reference in 1309 regarding the Role of Parents:

The initiation of children into the sacramental life is ordinarily the responsibility and concern of Christian parents. They are to form and gradually increase a spirit of faith in the children and, at times with the help of catechism classes, prepare them for the fruitful reception of the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist. The role of the parents is also expressed by their active participation in the celebration of the sacraments. (From the Introduction to the Rite of Confirmation, II, # 3)

 

1310    To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.

 

Confirmation is a celebration of the community of faith.

n       Confirmation joins us to the ministering community.

n       Confirmation is received by individuals and celebrated as community.

n       Preparation awakens a sense of belonging to the universal Church and local parish.

n       Preparation includes a sponsor who represents the wider faith community.

n       Preparation provides an opportunity to partner with families as communities of faith.

1301 The sign of peace that concludes the rite of Confirmation signifies and demonstrates ecclesial                        communion with the bishop and with all of the faithful.

1303    ...it renders our bond with the Church more perfect.

1311  Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents.