Sacrament of Confirmation
The Catholic Church considers the Sacrament of Confirmation to be the second Sacrament of Initiation [Baptism being the first and Holy Communion the third]. However, Confirmation is usually received several years after making First Holy Communion and is the Sacrament which we usually associate as being the final one we receive in childhood, usually taking place around the Primary 6/7 stage of school.
In this wonderful Sacrament, we celebrate the decent of the Holy Spirit on the Confirmandi (those being confirmed), just as the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles after Christ's resurrection.
Confirmation: The Perfection of Baptism
Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states:
By the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptised] 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.
The Form of the Sacrament of Confirmation
Many people think of the laying on of hands, which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit, as the central act in the Sacrament of Confirmation. The essential element, however, is the anointing of the confirmand (the person being confirmed) with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a Bishop), accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit". This seal is a consecration, representing the safeguarding by the Holy Spirit of the graces conferred on the Christian at Baptism.
The Minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, "The original minister of Confirmation is the Bishop." Each bishop is a successor to the Apostles, upon whom the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost - the first Confirmation.
The Acts of the Apostles mentions the apostles imparting the Holy Spirit to believers by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:15-17 and 19:6). The Church has always stressed this connection of confirmation, through the Bishop, to the ministry of the apostles.
The Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
Because Confirmation perfects our baptism, we are obliged to receive it "in due time." Any Catholic who did not receive Confirmation at Baptism or as part of their religious education during primary or high school should contact a priest and arrange to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
In this wonderful Sacrament, we celebrate the decent of the Holy Spirit on the Confirmandi (those being confirmed), just as the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles after Christ's resurrection.
Confirmation: The Perfection of Baptism
Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states:
By the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptised] 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.
The Form of the Sacrament of Confirmation
Many people think of the laying on of hands, which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit, as the central act in the Sacrament of Confirmation. The essential element, however, is the anointing of the confirmand (the person being confirmed) with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a Bishop), accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit". This seal is a consecration, representing the safeguarding by the Holy Spirit of the graces conferred on the Christian at Baptism.
The Minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, "The original minister of Confirmation is the Bishop." Each bishop is a successor to the Apostles, upon whom the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost - the first Confirmation.
The Acts of the Apostles mentions the apostles imparting the Holy Spirit to believers by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:15-17 and 19:6). The Church has always stressed this connection of confirmation, through the Bishop, to the ministry of the apostles.
The Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
- It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as sons of God] which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!"
- It unites us more firmly to Christ;
- It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 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.
Because Confirmation perfects our baptism, we are obliged to receive it "in due time." Any Catholic who did not receive Confirmation at Baptism or as part of their religious education during primary or high school should contact a priest and arrange to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
