sacrament of confirmation
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Confirmation, Holy Spirit, Sacrament of the Holy Spirit, Rite of Confirmation, Celebration of the Sacrament, anointed, Sacrament of Confirmation, SacramentTRANSCRIPT
Sacrament of “confirmation”
Confirmation in the Early Church
In the early church, it used to be that the Confirmation was given soon after Baptism.
That means that if someone was an older convert—say 10 year old or older— and he become a Christian,
He will be thought about the Sacrament of confirmation, at the same time,
he was thought about the sacrament of Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
So the person learned how 2 sacraments work together. (Baptism & Confirmation)
Confirmation in the Early Church
For the early Christians, they understood Confirmation as closely link of with the sacrament of Baptism,
We still have the same understanding today; however, in some Dioceses & Parish, the Sacrament of Confirmation is given a long time after Baptism.
And the sad part, is that sometimes Christians lose sight of the huge connection between Baptism & Confirmation.
So What is the connection? you may ask, Lets look at Baptism, first.
Confirmation Closely Link with Baptism,
When you are born, you are a unique wonderful creature, in all the world created by God.
Yet in order to become adopted by God, and become a member of Jesus mystical body, you must be baptized.
The priest held you over the Baptismal fount, and he pour water over, claiming you as an adopted Child of The Holy Trinity.
Baptism is so important that without it the person can not receive the other sacrament.
Because Baptism is so important & in it, it’s received God’s Grace, a baby can be baptize without the grave of the action.
We call this whole process of Baptism on growing up in the faith Christian initiation.
What Christian Initiation means?
That in order to become a member of God’s Christian family, you have to learn and start a process.
The baby has to learned gradually, the process of becoming a Christian, a good saint & what this means
They learned, and it happens over time, not all at once.
They learn that we all are call to have Sanctity, not to be sinners, so they must avoid sin—even when they grow up—and keep their heart pure!
In Christian life in the Sacraments, the Baby is baptized, and this begins the process of initiation.
Christian Initiation But Baptism is just the 1st step of Christian initiation,
In fact the process is not completed, on least the person receive the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Confirmation completes and seals the process of initiation.
No matter how old when the person is—when she or he is confirmed…
…the Christian baptized, and now Confirmed, and having make his or her 1st Communion,
Is a New Christian completed the process of initiation.
In the eyes of the Church, this Christian has an status of adult– on of the special gifts of Confirmation.
Indelible Seal Do you know what is this? It is a Seal: Candle wax
has been melted, and an image has been pressed into the wax.
In the early Christian times, this was performed to mark a letter o official document, in the name of someone; This means that the document officially belongs to someone.
This is a similar example of what the sacrament of Confirmation does in our soul.
The Christian receives a mark o character in the soul, that is indelible.
INDELIBLE: that can never be take off It can not be removed It cannot be washed
Indelible Seal This mark or Seal means, first of all, that Christians
belongs to God.
Here is a really neat part: The Seal means that the Christian has receive a very special Purpose and a mission.
And is called now, to act officially for Christ & the Church.
So the Sacrament of Confirmation complete the initiation of the process, and it puts an special mark or seal on our soul that can never be remove.
The Confirmation is like a sing that the Christians were all the time.
It is like a giant poster that say everyone that the soul belongs entirely to God
It tells that Christian is God’s property, and he/she has receive a very special mission to act for a purpose.
What the Sacrament give them the Power to accomplish?
The confirmed has a seal in the soul, and he/she works on behalf of the Church—“The Body of Christ”
The person has a very special power from the sacrament of Confirmation called GRACE, to act for the Church And be officially part of the Church
The person can perform acts that gave GRACE to others on behalf of Christ Body
When the person acts as a Christian, the whole Church is present in his/her actions.
It does not only mean he/she represent the Church as a member,
but he/she must represent the Church when others see them, and their actions.
What a Confirmed Christian is Suppose to Do?
In our actions, Others are actually seeing the Church.
The Confirmed is called to act for the Church, that’s why we say that Christian, who have received the
Sacrament of Confirmation, are Consecrated for this Mission.
We are called to spread and defend the Faith by Words & Deeds.
We belong the Church, we represent the Church, and we must act for the Church,
and the Sacrament of Confirmation gives us the ability to do it.
Confirmation gives su a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the Faith by word and actions, and true Witness of Christ. CCC #1303
Consecrated to be Witness
The Sacrament of Confirmation consecrated us to be Witness, or to give witness.
We give witness of God, we have seen our God in Jesus Christ—Our God who became man and died for us.
We witness every single day the Power of God’s Grace in our lives Through prayer The practice of Virtues And the Sacraments
We have receive the Gift of Grace, and seek to grow in Grace by practice of our faith.
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we are called to give witness and tell others about our encounter with Christ.
Our works will be powerful and effective, if we prove that we have the experience to back our words, We know the true And we tell others about it But we lived it, too!
Consecrated to be Witness
One of the most important ways, we can be a witness, it is by just the way we live our lives
You know that one of the best ways to learn is by watching someone
If you are trying to improve in some area of you life, you have to watch, and pay attention to very good role models.
In a similar way, we learn a lot about other people, by watching the way they are: What they think? What they believe? by their actions!
More than what we say, our actions tell us about, Who we are, and what is important to us?
Our Actions tell about, Who we are! and what is important to us?
For example: If it is important to us, every day, to offer few moments of prayer,
then our actions will prove, whether or not, is actually important to us to pray every day.
This is how valuable our actions are!
Our actions show us if we are True to our words.
Confirmation give us Grace to be Witness
Confirmation consecrated us, and gives us the Power to be witness.
we give witness to Jesus Christ and the Gospel.
We do not only do this by our words, but more important by our actions.
You can become a living Gospel yourself
Your life can be a New proclamation of the Good News for the entire world.
Your life can be a new and fresh presentation of Jesus for your family, and your friends and all those in need.
And even for those who you will never know, yet somehow, you have an impact on them.
Prepare your Soul If you have not yet received Confirmation,
do all you can do to pray, and think what would be like to be confirmed.
1. Prepare your soul to receive this mark or seal, that means that you belong to God and Jesus’ body—the Church.
2. Do all you can to begin acting officially in behalf of the Church.
3. Prepare for your future life of Witness.4. And Finally, pray for those who will be confirmed.
It is an incredible Grace to receive in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
We must help other by our prayers as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, so that they can be good witness in deeds & words.
Remember Witness is no just about what you say, but how you live
“Confirmation”“Sacrament of the Holy Spirit”
The Confirmation receives this name for a very important reason.
This sacrament (to de one who received it) is a special out pour of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit comes & takes out residence in the soul, in a very special and unique way.
But how is the Holy Spirit?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
As Christian Catholics we believe in One God and 3 persons.
1. 1st person God the Father2. 2nd person God the Son 3. 3rd person God The Holy Spirit
We call this the Mystery of The Trinity.› 3 persons = 1 God› 1 God = 3 persons
Who is the Holy Spirit? We have hear of God The Father.
› We pray Him whenever we say the prayer “Our Father”
We know God the Son, › The Son is the person of Jesus Christ. › We know His story and how he became man
and was born of Mary, and died for our sings.› He is the same person who instituted the
Seven Sacraments.
But we have difficult knowing the Holy Spirit› Why do we have difficulty?› Because it seems difficult to understand.
The Holy Spirit difficult to Understand We know what a Father is,
› because we have a father,› and we know that a father suppose to do.
We transfer the ideas of our human father, to the role of God the Father.
with The 2nd person of the Trinity, (It is kind of the same)› We know what a Son does, › and how he is part of a family› We know what the Son suppose to love, and honor his Father
deeply & truly.› We know that the Son—JESUS—, the one who became man,
dies for us. This is clear!
But the Holy Spirit, is difficult to understand,› We do not call him Father, or Son, or brother…
But He still a Person, even though we do not use human terms to describe,› who he is, and › what He does.
Who exactly is the Holy Spirit? First we must understand that he is not a an extra part
of the Trinity
His mission and purpose is essential to the Trinity. He is God, just as the Father, and just as the Son are
God.
So lets meet him: He has 2 names1. Holy2. and Spirit
1.First He is Holy because he is God› We remain our selves that he is a person of the Trinity, by
calling him HOLY.
By saying that Holy as first name, we recognize in humility that we are speaking about GOD, and not just a saint or angel.› This is God we are talking about.
Who exactly is the Holy Spirit?
2.Next we call him SPIRIT
The word Spirit in Hebrew is RUACH, which means BREATH› and this will tells us why we use the word Spirit for the 3rd
person of the Trinity This is very significant for Hebrew people—the
Jews— Breath was the animating principle of Life.› In order to see that a person is alive, we first see if is
breathing Taking in breath is symbol of Life
› BREATH here means LIFE
So we take the Hebrew word RUACH and used as the name of the 3rd Person of the Trinity.
We area actually saying that the Holy Spirit is our Life He is life and He is breath.
› The Holy Spirit is LIFE› The HOLY Spirit is BREATH
What does the Holy Spirit Do?
We know that the Father is the Creator, and the Son is the Redeemer
But what about the Holy Spirit? What He does?
The Holy Spirit is the SANCTIFIER:
This means that the Holy Spirit work is to sanctify us› He is the one who makes us Holy › He is in charge of Holiness› He brings Holiness wherever He is.
What does the Holy Spirit Do? If someone is Holy, or has the
quality of holiness virtue, it is because the Holy Spirit is at work with him.
He moves like breath and enters us like breath, to make us Holy.
He is the Sanctifier
What the Holy Spirit looks like? We going to see some of the amazing
symbols or images of the Holy Spirit,
We don’t have pictures of him, nor does he has a human body, or face like Jesus
Instead we have symbols to help us to understand what he is like.
We going to look 4 symbols of the Holy Spirit:1. Water2. Fire3. Cloud or Light4. A Dove
The first Symbol is WATER: We use water to talk about him. Why?
We know that there is 3 properties of Water related to him:1. Water cleans us (from we are duty)
› Holy Spirit is symbolize by water because it cleans us of sin.
2. Water also quenches our thirst › When we are thirsty we drink water to satisfy our thirst› So in Christian life we are thirsty for Holiness, and the Holy Spirit is
the One who satisfy our thirst—Or our longing for things or affections.
3. Water refresh us› The Holy Spirit refresh our soul and brings us New and cooling
Grace into our soul
Remember his special work is to Sanctify us, to make us Holy.
We recognized him in the symbol of water
He is not actually water, but water is used to communicate that he cleans us, satisfy us, and refresh us
The 2nd Symbol is Fire The Holy Spirit is a symbol of Fire because fire
is transformative, And it has tremendous energy
The Holy Spirit does similar works in our soul.
He first transforms us, by making us Holy, in the purify fire of Grace.
the Holy Spirit refines us by the fire of his Grace, to makes us precious and Holy.
This symbol is the most expressed of the symbols because fire is dangerous and powerful
Yet Holy Spirit is not dangerous, He is powerful however, Enough to makes us Holy.
The 3rd symbol is the Cloud or Light
In the Old Testament, the Jews wander in the desert, they were finding their way from Egypt to the Holy Land.
In certain time in their journey, they were guide by light from a cloud
This for the Jews was symbol of God.
In the New Testament, in the Stories of Christ, The Holy Spirit come in a overshadowing Movement
Such as when Jesus was transfigure or change on the mountain top during prayer.
The 3rd symbol is the Cloud or Light
The Cloud, and Light symbolized, The Holy Spirit guiding action in our lives.
He leads us to the destination, we need to reach.
It lead us to Holiness!
4th Symbol a Dove The most common and easily recognized is a
Dove
The Holy Spirit is symbolized by a Dove or bird.
We take this symbolism from the Gospel.
When Jesus was Baptized on the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist, The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in a form of a Dove (Matthew3:1317)
We continue to use this symbol to show that the Holy Spirit has come, and will remain in us.
He will hover and dwell and protects us He is the SANCTIFIER and leads us to Holiness.
How this relates to the Sacrament of Confirmation?
In our Catholic Tradition, we believe that the Sacrament of Confirmation is a very special out pouring of the Holy Spirit.
It is a moment of intensity
When the Christian is confirmed, the Holy Spirit comes and gave us God’s Grace.
The Sacrament of the Holy Spirit
Not only Christians receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the soul, and receive the mark or Seal of the Holy Spirit
But by the Power of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, The Christians also receive a special gift: TO BE OPEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.
This is very important in Christian life:
Not only do we need the Holy Spirit Grace, but we need help to be open to Him› To hear him› To listen to him› And follow his inspirations
The Holy Spirit works is often hidden and goes unnoticed
The Holy Spirit Grace, helps to be open to Him
1. For example: You are in your business doing your own, and suddenly, you feel in your hear a pull to do something for someone...
2. Or you have a thought, in your mind, that you should go & pray for a little while…
Those instance are called Inspirations › They are from the Holy Spirit.› Thus the Holy Spirit moving in you › He is telling you what to do› He is trying to tell you to do good
We can recognize him by the feeling inside of Peace and Rest.
The Holy Spirit works is often goes unnoticed
The Holy Spirit works is often hidden and goes unnoticed
› Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
› Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
› You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
› The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
› So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8)
Much we cannot see the wind, but we can tell is active, by the movement of the wind in the trees & waves of the ocean
The Holy Spirit works in a very similar way. He moves us and inspire us to do good, and practice the virtues.
Seek the Holy Spirit & his inspiration in our lives
If you feel on inspiration in you to do something and you feel a restful stillness (inside you) & peace,
You can be sure, that the Holy Spirit is moving you, to perform the action
The goal of our life, then, is to be open to the Holy Spirit movement, his influence and his Grace
It is precisely, what we receive in the sacrament of Confirmation: “We receive a special presence of the Holy Spirit in our souls.”
And not only that but we receive a special grace:“to be open and respond to him.”
This is how the Holy Spirit has an open link, and contact with the Christian that received the sacrament of Confirmation.
We Recognize him in the Effect of his Work
We do not always see him when he is with us , But we can recognize him in the effect of his work
How else have the Christians to get witness to the world?
”Only by the power of the Sanctifier: THE HOLY SPIRIT”
Remember after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the apostles were fill with boldness (courage).
The Holy Spirit filled them At first, they had been a timid and fearful group: They
had run away when Jesus was arrested, tried, and put to death.
1) when Jesus was captive for his enemies, in the Garden of Gethsemane, all the Apostles run for their lives.
2) While waiting in the court yard, during the Trial of Jesus, Peter deny even knowing Jesus.
3) Later, when Jesus appeared to the Apostles after raising from death, they were gather in a lock room out of fear.
Soon , with the help of the Holy Spirit, they become strong and fearless.
The Holy Spirit filled them with the fire of faith and the courage to proclaim the Good News of the risen Christ.
The Holy Spirit is recognize by the Effect of his Work
Before, they did not know, how to speak about God,
but now Peter and the Apostles know exactly what to say.
Peter began to preach to the crowds, He told them about the Holy Spirit;
And that Jesus was the Lord and Messiah, and› He had died for us› And he had been raised from the dead by God
the Father. › And now Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit, as he
promised.
The Holy Spirit is recognize by the Effect of his Work
Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and began bolding (bravery) proclaiming the Gospel.
Peter’s proclamation of Jesus was very powerful,that The Gospel says that Peter was cut through the heart…That the crowd told Peter: “that they wanted to be save.”
So those who received his word were Baptized, and that day were added, about 3000 souls,
The Apostles were fearless, The Holy Spirit dwell in their souls, so intensively, that there was no room, in apostles’ heart, to be afraid.
The Apostles became strong & courage Christian, who bear witness to the Faith
CELEBRATION OF “CONFIRMATION”
CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT CONFIRMATION
First lets look the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
They were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
This is an amazing passage, that show us a similar out pouring of the Holy Spirit, like that in Confirmation.
OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
What the wind & fire meant? That the apostles were all filled with the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit come & rest upon each one. First by making his present know on the wind And then on the fire
Although the Sacrament of Confirmation do not take place, the same way as did with the apostles,
The sacrament is never less special outpouring of the Holy Spirit
It is the Holy Spirit sacrament, his very special work. It makes his present in us in an new and powerful way. And gives us the ability to be open to his inspiration.
Just as the wind filled the house and the fire rested over their heads.
He Holy Spirit choose to manifest his present by certain symbols, in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
RITE OF CONFIRMATION RITE is a special word, to refer to Solemn Catholic
Ceremonies and occasions in our lives
The 7 sacraments, each has their own special Rite
There is a very special book that the Bishops uses during the RITE, to tell them what words to use and what actions to perform, and
when And it is so special and so sacred, and holy that the
Bishop doesn't want to change anything or make anything up.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is so special that the Bishop must celebrated the Rite, at least, he can make it for a reason, in this case, he can appoint a
priest to take his place.
CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT CONFIRMATION
Usually the Confirmation sacrament takes place during a Mass, after the Homily—when the priest or Bishop comment on the Gospel
The Bishop call all the people, who be confirm, to the front of the Church,
before everyone and the entirely congregation, and really before the entirely universal Church,
the Bishop asks the Christians, who will be confirm, TO RENEW their BAPTISMAL PROMISES,
This is beautiful and symbolic, specially with what we know about the Sacrament of Initiation:
The Baptismal Consecration is Renewed and Strengthen through the Sacrament of Confirmation
And how truly fitting it is, to have a Renewal of Baptismal Promises, right before the Sacrament of Confirmation is confer.
CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT CONFIRMATION
After the Bishop has determined that the person to be confirm,..
are serious in their intentions to be strong & courage Christian—who will bear witness to the Faith,
Then the Bishop, says a very special prayer, and it’s very Powerful–with his hands extended outward.
The Prayer begs God the Father to send down the Holy Spirit upon the Christians to be confirm
The Prayer also mention a certain list of gifts that we will to receive.
CONFIRM IN THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
After the prayer the Bishop takes a very special oil called the CHRISM
And anoint each candidate for confirmation on the forehead,
while he does this, he says the most powerful words in the Rites
“Be Seal with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit”
An these very words the Sacrament is completed and effective.
While performing the Actions and saying the words, {and the very fact ,that the Bishop is the properly ordain to ministry the sacraments}the Christian is Now Confirm in the GRACE of the Holy Spirit
CHRISM OIL SYMBOLIZES THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTION
For being so very simple, the Rite is very Symbolic.
The use of CHRISM oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit action, and making the Christian strong, when it comes to give witness of Faith.
The Holy Spirit come and dwell to the Soul of The Confirm Christian
Now in the way, very similar to that 1st Pentecost, when the house was filled with wind,
and fire came to rest upon the apostles; they were filled with the Holy Spirit
And so are the Christians, too, receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
HOW TO PREPARE TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
PREPARATION TO RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION
The Church makes us ready for the mayor moments of our lives
It helps us to prepare for all big moments of our sacramental life
This is true for all the Sacraments specially the Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is such a special moment in the life of The Christian, that requires intense preparation, in advance.
If your Gran parents or somebody special are going to come for a weekend visit, wouldn't you prepare for their visit ahead of time? Cleaning de house… Set the table Making a special meal…
The same is true for the Sacrament of Confirmation;
It is so special, that the Church asks us to prepare our heart in advance, to receive the God’s Grace.
PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION
There are 3 main parts for this preparation:
1. Select a Confirmation Sponsor2. Make a good Confession3. Begin a Period of more intense
prayer (prepare to receive the Holy Spirit)
(1) SELECT A CONFIRMATION SPONSOR
The person to be confirm must select a Confirmation Sponsor
a) The Sponsor must be baptized Catholic himself and be selected because he has a good example .
b) And will provide Spiritual Support during preparation & after the sacrament.
The Catechism suggest that the Sponsor be the same of one of the Godparents of Baptism This again illustrates how closely related the sacraments of
Baptism & Confirmation truly are.
So in selecting a sponsor in Confirmation, it is good to considerate someone, 1. who is good & joyful Catholic2. Who receive the sacraments very often3. Who is willing to be a source of support of encouragement in the
time preparing for the sacraments.
This can be one of your Godparents, or an older brother/sister, Grandparent or some other family or friend. A Sponsor can also be a mentor or teacher, priest, some other
person that you admire & trust And who will give support as you preparer for the sacraments.
(2) MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION1. Make a good Confession, before receiving
Confirmation This means that the Christian after the age of reason, say 7
yrs old or older, must be free form all serious mortal sin
The Christian to be confirm must go to the sacrament of Penance and confess any know mortal & venial sin (in conscious in them)
why? In order to receive the GRACE of the Holy Spirit, nothing can block his access and moment in the soul, and sin is the greater hinder to works of the Holy Spirit.
HINDER: To be or get in the way of. To obstruct or delay the progress of. To interfere with action or progress.
a) In the Sacrament of Penance the Christian confess any sin that she/he consciously committed to a priest.
b) After receiving the absolution from the priest, the Christian now is free from sin,
c) and can be fully open to the Holy Spirit works in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
(3) INTENSIVE PRAYER
It is to began a period of most intensive prayer to prepare to receive The Holy Spirit.
Prayer is talking to God: Prayer is absolutely essential to Christian life.
Without prayer, Christian life will dry up like a desert, and the Soul will lost Grace.
Prayer is our connection with God: stronger our prayer life, the deeper our connection with God.
If we lose contact with God, then we risk losing our sense of perfect– in our intellect/reason— and our mission in life.
Prayer is just as important as eating, sleeping, or even breathing.
MAKE YOUR HEART READY TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
Prayer is an important part of a normal and daily life.
But in praying for Confirmation, the Church asks us to spend more time in prayer, and spend that time praying intensively.
Prayer is a conversation with God; it is like taking to God who is present and next to you. Talking him familiarly, as you would talk to closer friend or lovely
Dad.
To prepare for confirmation, spend a bit of extra time each day. Every day, praying to, and with the Holy Spirit. Speak him about your concerns of your wishes, your dreams, & your
desires.
Make your heart ready to receive the Holy Spirit and show Him that you are ready by your eagerness to pray.
1. Pray in order to receive God’s Graces of the Sacrament2. And be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit3. And be ready for the Life that begins after the
Sacrament of Confirmation.
CONFIRMATION IS NOT AN OPTIONAL SACRAMENT
The Sacrament of Confirmation is not an optional sacrament
It is so important for Christian Life, for Confirmation completes and seals the process of initiation.
the Christian baptized, and now Confirmed, and having make his or her 1st Communion,is a New Christian completed the process of initiation.
