Lesson 24: Confirmation
1. What are the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation?
The three Sacraments of Christian Initiation are Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation
2. Who is the ordinary minister of confirmation?
The ordinary minister of confirmation is the Bishop. The Bishop is a successor of the Apostles. In special occasions a priest may also confirmation somone, but he does so with the chrism that has been consecrated by the Bishop.
3. Where is it clear from the Scriptures that the ordinary minister of Confirmation is the Bishop?
We see that the ordinary minister of Confirmation is the Bishop (a successor of the Apostle) in Acts 8: 14-17
“Now when te apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accpetd the Word of God, they sent them Peter and John., who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Philip, who was a deacon (Acts 6:5) was able to preach and baptize to the Samaritans (Acts 8: 4-13). He was not able to confer the Holy Spirit (i.e. confirmation) since he was not an apostle (i.e. a bhishop). Peter and ohn were apostles, and thus were able to confer confirmation. The bishops, who re the successors of the apostles, continue to be the ordinary ministers of confirmation.
4. Who is able to receive Confirmation?
All baptized persons who have not been confirmed can be validly confirmed. To receive this sacrament properly, a young person is to be
-Suitably instructed;
-He or she is to be in the state of Sanctifying Grace;
-And should prepare him or herself by more intense prayer and the cleansing that comes from the Sacrament of Confession.
5. Is it a sin to neglect receiving Confirmation?
Yes, it is a sin to neglect receiving Confirmation.
Although it is not absolutely necessary for salvation; nonetheless it is a great aid to salvation. Thus, the Canon Law of the Church states “we are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time. “ (Canon 890)
6. How will confirmation be conferred upon you?
-You will renew your baptismal promises. In the early Chruch and still to this day in the Eastern Catholic Churches Confirmation immediately follows baptism. In the Latin rite baptism and confirmation became separated, since the bishop could not always be present. He would come at a later date and confirm a large number of the baptized. In order to show Confirmaiton’s relationship to baptism, the renewal of baptismal promises always precedes the conferral of Confirmation.
- The Bishop will call upon the Holy Spirit, while extending his hands over the whole group to be confirmed. Since the time of the Apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- He will anoint your head with chrism, and will say, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This third action is the one thing absolutely necessary. Through this last action you will receive the Grace of the Sacrament.
7. What is Sacred Chrism?
Sacred Chrism is a combination of vegetable oil and a seeet smelling substance, called balsam.
The Sacred Chrism was consecrated by the Bishop on the Holy Thursday morning during the “Chrism Mass, which is the “in a certain way a part of” the Confirmation Rite.
8. What is Sacred Chrism a sign of?
Sacred Chrism, in its use in confirmation, is a sign of consecration – a sign of belonging to Jesus Christ. Those who are confirmed share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which He is filled, so that their lives may give off “the fragrance of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:5)
By this anointing the person confirmed receives the mark or the seal of the Holy Spirit. A slave was marked with his owner’s seal. Through confirmation the Holy Spirit seals our whole being. We belong to Jesus Christ and are enrolled in His service forever.
9. What are the effects of Confirmation?
It is evident from its celebration tht the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.
From this fact confirmation bring san increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
-It roots us more deeply in the divine sonship 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, an never to be ashamed of the Cross (CCC, 1302-1303)
10. How is the faith defended and spread?
The Catholic Faith is defended and spread first of all by ur good example. It is then spread and defended by words about our faith to others.
For example, when you are faithful to going to mass every Sunday, the Holy Spirit will use that action to touch your friends, reminding them that they also shold be going to Mass.
11. Why is it that many confirmed Catholics do not spread and defend the Faith?
They do not spread and defend the Faith because they do not pay enough.
They do not spread and defend the faith because they do not receive the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion enough. They do no spread and defend the Faith because tye are not devoted to Mary enough.
They do no spread and defend the Faith because they do not live the Faith themselves.
12.How must a Catholic live if he or she wants to spread and defend the Catholic Faith?
If a Catholic wants to spread and defend the Catholic Faith, he or she must do the following:
- Go to Mass at least every Sunday – but ideally every day;
- Pray every day, especially the rosary;
- Go to confession at least once a month or immediately if he or she commits a mortal sin;
- Fill his or her life with acts of mercy for others;
- Continue to study the Catholic Faith, so as to live it and be able to explain it better to others;
- Love and imitate Jesus and Mary in all things and as a result always give good example to others; and
- Talk to others about the Faith, when the opportunity presents itself.
13. What are the requirements of a sponsor?
The sponsor should be: a) at least 18 years old; b) someone who has received Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation; and c) is leading a holy life, capable of giving good example to the one who is being confirmed.
The ideal sponsor would be the same sponsor that you had at baptism, to show the unity between baptism and confirmation.
A person who is only civilly married or is living in free union with his or her kpartner, is not a good sponsor, since such a person is not living a holy life, and is thus a bad example to others.
IT is for the sponsor to see that the confirmed person seeks to live a holy Christian Catholic life.
14. Do you have to choose another name?
No. If you do choose another name for confirmation, it should be the name of a saint who inspires you to follow Christ more closely.
Blessed Laura Vicuna (1891-1904)
Shortly before Laur’as third birthday her faither died. Her widowned mother Mercedes, shortly afterwards began to live a sinful life. She began to live with a man, Se;or Mora, without marrying him in the Catholic HCurhc. When Laura was about 8 years old she was sent to a boarding school, where she learned about god and his love for her, and how to love Him in return. She became a leader among her classmates, was good at sports, and a friend to all. She was mature and wise beyond her years, and had a deep understanding of prayer. Because of her influence, her classmates also began to develop a joyful spirit of piety. When Laura went home for summer vacations her mohter’s partner, Senor Mora, was often drunk and in those times triend to embrace and kiss Laura. Laura successfully repelled him. When Laura made her first Communion at the age of 10, she noticed that her mother did not receive Holy Communion., and was not happy. One of her constant pryers before the tabernacle became, “Jesus, I wish that Mam would knowYou better and be happy.” Laura started to have a secret desire to become a nun that she often shared with he rconfessor. In the summer of 1901 she retunred to the ranch with her mhter and Senor Mora. HE began to make many advances toward her, and she always resited. Becaue of this Senor Mora refused to pay her tuition for the following year. The Sisters at the choool found out about it, and agreed to let her come free of charge. At Easter of 1902 Laura receivd Confirmaiton. Strengthened by this sacrament and inspired by the Holy Spirit, she asked her confessor if she could offer he life to God for her mother’s conversion. Realizing that she was inspired by God to do so, he consented. Laura became ill, and was sent home. She felt that her offering had been accepted, and that she would never get well. On January 14, 1904, Senor Mora, drunk with whiskey and angry came to the cottage where Laura and her mother were staying. Though weak and pale, Laura said, “If he stays, I will go. “ She walked out the door. Senor Mora was furious and ran after her. He caught up to her, kicked her, and whipped her, while she lay in the stree. Aura had been beaten unconscious. She lived a week longer. At the end she revealed to her mother, “Mama, I am dying, but I am happy to offer my life for you. I asked Our Lord for this. “ Mercedes fell to her knees sobbing. She realiezed what her daughter had meant, and begged the forgivness of Laura and God. She promised to begin living a holy life. After Laur’as death at about 6pm on January 22, 1904, Mercedes went to the chaple to make her confession. Through the sacrifice of her daughter she received the grace of converting.
