CONFIRMATIONNot your parents’ sacrament

STARTING A FIREAt Baptism, who typically speaks for you?At Confirmation, you speak for yourself!Not what your parents want- what you wantAt Pentecost, it was the apostles’ choiceNow it is your choiceChoose wisely

WHAT IS IT?WHAT IS IT NOT?

• Completes baptismal grace• Should be received by all baptized Catholics• Age of discretion- at the earliest 7 years old• Requirements:• Must profess faith• Be in a state of grace• Intend to receive the sacrament- disposition• Prepared to be a witness for our Lord Jesus Christ

CONTINUING FROM LAST SLIDE• Often received in teen years• Learn more about the Holy Spirit and its gifts• Prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation • Sometimes service is a requirement• Confirmation Sponsor- requirements• Mature age• Fully initiated member• Most appropriate one of their godparents• Imprints indelible mark (sacramental seal) on the person

WHAT IT IS NOT!• Becoming an adult in the church• Final yes and never to consider again• The END OF YOUR JOURNEY IN FAITH

ROOTS- IT IS ROOTED IN THE BIBLE- CHECK IT OUT!

• Old Testament• Prophets promised Spirit• World would rest on coming

Messiah• Ruah- God’s spirit, breath, activity

throughout creation

• Holy Spirit rested on Jesus at his Baptism

• Was with Christ always

ORIGIN

APOSTLES• Laying on of Hands- Acts 19:1-6• Reception of Charisms- special

gifts• Anointing with Chrism- gift of the

Spirit

EARLY CHURCH• Baptism/Confirmation together• Split because of great demand and

the need to confirm the Baptism• 13th century- Need to teach more

about commitment• Bishop in Western Church• Priest in Eastern Rite Churches

RITE OF CONFIRMATION• Takes place during the Liturgy• Bishop is main celebrant• Begins with renewal of baptismal promises• Profession of Faith confirmands (those to be confirmed)• Extension of hands to invoke outpouring of Holy Spirit• Essential Rite is…..

ESSENTIAL RITE OF CONFIRMATION

• Form:• “Be sealed with the Gift of the

Holy Spirit”• In the Eastern Rite Church:• “The seal of the gift that is the

Holy Spirit”

• Matter” Anointing on forehead with Chrism in the shape of the Cross

• In the Eastern Rite Church, other sense organs are anointed as well

THE RITE CONCLUDESA sign of peace is shared and thus the rite concludes.The Liturgy continues as normal

WHY OIL AND ANOINTING?• Represents total consecration to Christ• A sharing in Christ’s mission• Bring forth in word and deed “the aroma of Christ”• Sealed totally to Christ

1. WISDOM- THE PERFECTION OF FAITH- TO VALUE PROPERLY THOSE THINGS OF THE FAITH2. UNDERSTANDING- ALLOWS US TO GRASP THE ESSENCE OF THE TRUTHS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH3. COUNSEL- ALLOWS US TO BEST JUDGE HOW WE ARE TO ACT- PRUDENCE IS THE CRITICAL CARDINAL VIRTUE IN THIS GIFT- RIGHT REASON IN ACTION4. FORTITUDE- CARDINAL VIRTUE THAT GIVES US THE STRENGTH TO COMMIT RIGHT ACTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF OUR RELIGION

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

5. KNOWLEDGE- IS THE PERFECTION OF FAITH AND THE ABILITY TO JUDGE6. PIETY- IS THE PERFECTION OF THE VIRTUE OF RELIGION- IT IS THE WILLINGNESS TO WORSHIP AND SERVE GOD7. FEAR OF THE LORD- (AWE OF GOD)- CONFIRMS THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUE OF HOPE- GIVES THE ABILITY NOT TO OFFEND GOD

THE GIFTS CONTINUED

FOR REVIEW• Please answer the questions found on page 169• Pay particular attention to the Essential Rite• Watch this video for further information and to reinforce knowledge from

class:• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt32SyDWuW8 by Busted Halo