LESSON2

THE
SACRAMENT OF
CONFIRMATION
GROUP MEMBERS
ANGELES, JUSTIN
LAGAMAO, MARIA KAYLA
MATOBATO, CLYDE RICHARD
ORPILLA, MIKKI
PARREÑO, JANINE
RESPUESTO, CHADA
INTRODUCTION

Confirmation is the sacrament by which

Catholic receive a remarkable outpouring of
the Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, the
Holy Spirit gives them aspect of their lives
and to witness Christ in every situation. A
closer bond with the Catholic Church.
 Abstraction
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacrament of
Christian initiation" maintaining their unity.

Confirmation us requirment completion of baptismal grace. For "the sacrament of Confirmation

strengthen [the baptized's] connection to the Church and endows them with a special strength of the
Holy Spirit".

As such, they are more strictly obligated, as faithful witnesses of Christ, to spread and defend the
faith through Word anf deed. When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, as it is in
the Roman Rite, the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the confirmands renewing their baptismal
promises and professing their faith.
Minister : A bishop serves as the ordinary minister of Confirmation.

Recipient : Each baptized person no confirmed is eligible and should

receive the Sacramenr of Confirmation. Because Baptism,
Confirmation , and Eucharist are all one sacrament, "the faithful are
obligated to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time", because
without Confirmation and Euchatrist, Baptism is certainly valid and
efficacious.
Matter : The administration of the Sacrament of
Confirmation is through the imposition of the hand and the
recitation of the words prescribed in the approved liturgical
books. Even if a presbyter administers the sacrment, a
bishop consecrates the chrism used in the sacrament of
Confirmation

Form : Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

THE EFFECTS OF
CONFIRMATION

● It is filiation that causes us to cry out, "Abal Father"

● It strengthens our bond with Christ;
● It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us,
● It strengthens our bond with the Church;
● It endows us with an extraordinary Holy Spirit strength to spread and defend
the Faith through Word and deed as faithfulness of Christ, to boldly confess the
name of Christ, and to never be ashamed of the Cross.
Confirmation or Chrismation is the second sacrament of Christian initiation. "It is called
Chrismation (in the Easter Church: anointing with holy myron or chrism) because the
essential rite of the sacrment i anointing with chrism.

It is called Confirmation because it confirms and strengthen baptismal grace. Is conferred

by "the anointing with Sacred Chrism (oil mixed with balsam and consecrated by the
bishop), which is done by the laying on of the hanf of the minister who pronounces the
sacramental words proper to the rite.

These words, in both their Western and Eastern variants, refer to a gift of the HOLY SPIRIT
that marks the recipient as with a seal Through the sacrament the grace given in baptism is
"stengthened and deepened".
Like Baptism, Confirmation may be received only once, and the recipient
must be in a state of grace ( meaning free from any known unconfessed
mortal sin) in order to receive its effects. The "originating" minister of the
sacrament is validity consecrated bishop; if a priest ( a "presbyter ) confers the
sacrament-as is done ordinarily in the Eastern Churches and in special cases
(such as the baptism of an adult or in danger of the death of young child) in
the Latin Church-the link with the higher order is indicated by the use of oil
(known as "chrism" or "myron") blessed by the bishop on HOLY
THURSDAY itself ot on a day close to it.
 I. Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation

In the old testaments, 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 whom the Father gives him "without measure".
 II. The Signs and the Rite of Confirmation
In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing
and what it signifie and imprints: a spiritual seal. Anointing, in Biblical and other
ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy: it
cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes
and wrestlers), oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruise and wounds;
and it makes in the sacramental life.

A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an

object. A seal authenticates a juridical act or document and occasionally makes it
secret. Christ Himself declared that he was marked with his Father's seal.
Christians are also marked with a seal: "It is God who establishes us".
I I I . T H E E F F E C T S O F C O N F I R M AT I O N
It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as
once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. 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, "Abal 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.

The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the Spirit of knowledge and reverence, the
spirit of holy fear in God's presence.

Confirmation is given only once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the "character", which is the sign
that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be
his witness.
IV. WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT?
Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Since Baptism, Confirmation, and
Eucharist form a unity, it follows tha "the faithful are obliged to receive thi sacrament at the appropriate time, for without
Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism us certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete.

For centuries, Latin custom has indicated "the age of discretion" as the reference point for receiving Confirmation.

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 barely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood.

Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward 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 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. Here intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and
readiness to act.
V. THE MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION
The original minister of Confirmation is the bishop, in the Latin Rite, the
ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop. If the need arises, the
bishop may grant the facultyof administering Confirmation to priests,
although it is fitting that he confer it himself, mindful that the celebration
of Confirmation has been temporally separated from Baptism for this
reason. Bishops are the successors of the apostles. They have received the
fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. The administration of this
sacrament by them demonstrates clearly that its effect is to unite those who
receive it more closely to the Church, to her apostolic origins, and to her
mission of bearing witness to Christ. If a Christian is in danger of death,
any priest can give him Confirmation. Indeed the Church desires that none
of her children, even the youngest, should depart this world without having
been perfected by the Holy Spirit with the gift of Christ's fulness.
THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THEIR
MEANING
Catholics believe that confirmatio awakens certain spiritual attributes called the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, KNOWLEDGE, COUNSEL, COURAGE/FORTITUDE, PIETY AND FEAR OF
THE LORD. The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect our virtues. Christians receive th seven gifts of the Holy Spirit during
baptism. These gifts make us willing to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit in all we do.
1 WISDOM - Wisdom is not the quoting of facts. Wisdom is a gift that allows a person to understand things from God's
point of view.
2. UNDERSTANDING - The gift of understanding allows a person to comprehend the Catholic Faith.
3. COUNSEL - The gift of Counsel is also known as a Gift of Right Judgement. This Gift allows a person to discern
between good and evil or right and wrong.
4. FORTITUDE/COURAGE - The Gift of Fortitude is also known as the Gift of Courage. Through this Gift a person is
no longer afraid to stand up for God and his truths.
5. PIETY - Is a desire to serve and worship God out of love, not just duty. A person with the Gift of piety has a true love
and a real relationship with God.
6. KNOWLEDGE - The Gift of knowledge allows a person to understand the meaning and purpose God has for him
and to love and a real relationship with God.
7. FEAR OF THE LORD - The Gift of fear of the Lord puts God in the proper perspective. A persob with this Gift
understands the greatness and awesomeness of the Lord.
THE NECESSITY OF THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR A
CHRISTIAN
The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE CRUCIAL TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF CHRISTIANS. ACCORDING
TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, THESE SEVEN GIFTS ARE ESSENTIAL AND NECESSARY TO CHRISTIAN
BELIEVERS. THESE SEVEN GIFTS ARE GIVEN CHRISTIANS TO KEEP AND TO DEEPEN THEIR CHRISTIAN FAITH
AND DISPOSITIONS. MOREOVER, THESE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKE CHRISTIANS MORE "CHRIST LIKE"
AND HELP IN THE TRANSFORMATION FROM A LIFE IN THE FLESH TO A LIFE IN THE SPIRIT.

CATHOLICS ACTIVELY RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN A VERY STRONG MANNER THROUGH THE SCRAMENTS
OF BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, AND HOLY COMMUNION.

CONFIRMATION STRENGTHENS THE WILL AND ALLIGNS IT WITH THE WILL OF GOD. IT CALLS THE PERSON
TO "RIGHT" ACTION AND GIVES HIM OR THE MEANS TO DISCERN WHAT IS PROPER ACTION CATHOLICS
BEIEVE THAT ALL MEMBERS ARE CALLED TO SHARE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST IN THAT THEY WILL BE
CALLED TO PUBLICITY AND OFFICIALLY PROFESS AND MEDIATE THE FAITH OF CATHOLIC CHURCH AT TIMES
IN THEIR LIVES. CONFIRMATION IS THE SACRAMENT THAT OPENS THIS "PRIESTLY"FUNCTION.
 B. QUALITIES OF CHRISTIAN WITNESS
a) Personal knowledge, awareness, and experience of Christ in their daily lives;
b) Strong and enthusiastic Christian convictions and active commitment to Christ and the Church.
c) a basic grounding ib Scripture,Church teaching and fundmental human experience;
d) the human leadership qualities of honesty and integrity that inspire confidence and a following:
e) the communication skills needed to present Christ's challenge to the Filipino of today in ab attractive and
persuasive manner; and
f) the courage to suffer and risk for the kingdom of God.
C. AGE FOR CONFIRMATION
Such a descriptio of qualities needed for confirmed Christian witness naturally raises the pastoral question of when the
sacrament of Confirmation should be conferred. In ancient times it was given immediately after Baptism. But when infant
Baptism became the standard practice, the sacrament of Confirmation was postponed to a later time-the age of discretion. Today
there are some advocating restoring the original unity while others wish to postponed it further to young adulthood. Yet there
are good reasons for confirming around the age of discretion or later, as is the more common Church policy in the Philippines .
The adolescents begin to move away from childish ways and take their first steps toward a personally chosen Faith, and begin to
take an active part in Christian community life. Current Proposal. Most agree that Confirmation is : 1.) A SACRAMENT OF
INITIATION,
2 ) RECEIVED ONLY ONCE, WHICH 3.) COMPLETES BAPTISM, 4.) BY A PEST-BAPTISMAL RECEPTION OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
D. CONFIRMATION'S RELATION TO CHRIST AND THE CHURCH
As Jesus was shown to be the Baptized One, so here it is obvious that Christ is also the Confirmed One
in Holy Spirit. From his conception, through his redemptive mission of his public ministry, climaxing
in his Resurrection and Ascension to his Father, the man Jesus is constanly guided, strengthened and
led by the Spirit. The Spirit i Christ our Lord is:

a.) The Spirit ot HOLINESS who makes present the All-Holy One;
b.) The Spirit of LOVE who enables his followers to love as he loves;
c.) The Spirit of LIFE who came that we "might have life and have it more abundantly";
d.) The Spirit of POWER to fulfill the Father's will and enable his followers to do the same;
e.) The Spirit of TRUTH who sets us free; and
f. ) The Spirit of FORGIVENESS who brings eternal salvation to the repentant.

We meet this Spirit of the Lord in his Body, THE CHURCH, CHRIST'S CHURCH is the "Confirmed
Church," the Church of the SPIRIT, precisely because of Christ's real presence within his Body.
E. GODPARENTS/SPONSORS FOR BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION
In the Philippines, social relations between families often seem to play the dominant tole in the
choice of godparents and sponsors for Baptism abd Confirmations. In a Catholic country like
ours, it is natural that the social structure and family alliances find expression in religious
activities as well. But this practice can become a "secularizing" temptation that obscures the
primary faith-meaning of the sacraments.

a.) Sufficiently mature persons (ordinarily at least 16 years old)

b.) Good-living Catholics who themselves have been initiated in the three sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation, annd the Eucharist; and
c.) Who are capable and trult intend to help the newly baptized/confirmed to faithfully live up to
all.
the duties inherent in Christian life. Today the Church recommends that the godparents at
Baptism be present and even be the sponsor at Confirmation, though it is always possible to
choose a special sponsor for Confirmation.
THE THREE THEMES THAT WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Theme 1 : CONFIRMATION IS A DEEPER INITIATION INTO THE FAITH COMMUNITY

Theme 2 : CONFIRMATION CELEBRATES THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Theme 3 : CONFIRMATION IS THE SCRAMENT OF WITNESS
THE AGE FOR CONFIRMATION

Undoubtedly, the age decided on will vary from diocese to diocese and even from parish to parish. It
really depends on which factor tends to be emphasized . Here are some of the emphases in the Church
today.

1 PSYCHOLOGICAL READINESS
2. TRADITIONAL ARGUMENT
3. LITURGICAL REASONS
LIVING YOUR CONFIRMATION

Confirmation both celebrates and helps increase

your giftedness in our Lord Jesus. It gives you
the strength of the Spirit to live your vacation as a
child of God.