Confirmation Study Guide

Christ- It is important for us to understand for the full expression of Confirmation, that Jesus spirit is passed on through Pentecost. He made three promises: The last Supper, Nicodemus, and Preached of Persecution. Cathedral- This is where the anointing of the chrism oil occurs, and means the chair of authority. Only a bishop in full regalia can anoint the 3 types of Oil: Chrism, Oil of Sick, and Oil of catechumen. The anointing takes place during the liturgy of the word during Holy Thursday. Cathedra- This is the massive chair inside the Cathedral from which the bishop presides over special functions. Age of discernment- The age of discernment occurs at age 16. The age used to be 12 in the council of Trent, but Lastecki but was changed to 16. This is why confirmation usually occurs at age 16. Dispensation- This is the suspension, by competent authority, of general rules of law in particular cases in the Catholic Church. The Bishop can write a letter to a priest giving him permission to give confirmation to his parish, this letter is called a letter of dispensation Soldier for Christ- The Bishop used to slap the person he was confirming, to signify that you are a soldier of Christ and that life would not always be easy. This idea came about during the Council of Trent when they had to defend their faith. Vatican II changed this idea to be that we are ambassadors of Christ Hebrews- Letter to the Hebrews viewed Confirmation as a Divine blessing, is a type of commissioning, and to fill Christians with courage and conviction.

Age of reason- The age of reason is when you are seven, or usually 2nd grade. Advocate/Paraclete- These are different names for the Holy Spirit. The word Paraclete originated from Johns gospel. Fruits of the Spirit- Perfections that result from living in union with the Holy Spirit. They are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. They come from us, and are strengthened at confirmation. Sequence order (2)- Pope Pius decreed that the order was Baptism, Eucharist, and then Confirmation. Before this change, it went Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Today, the order is Baptism, Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Balsam/Myron- Balsam is often referred to as Balm of Gilead, is and is used in the healing and preservation from corruption. The balsam symbolizes sweet odor of Christianity and is essentially a grant perfume. Ritual name- When you go through the sacrament of Confirmation you are required to choose a name for yourself that is molded after a saint, so that you will better follow the Christian faith. Discipleship- The point of Confirmation is not only to strengthen our relationship with the Holy Spirit and how we see the Spirit in our lives, but we are to choose discipleship for ourselves. At the age of discernment, we are supposed to want to be Disciples of Christ. Chrismation (E)- The name in the Eastern rites for the sacrament of Confirmation. It comes from the chrism used as part of the sacrament. Salvation- This sacrament is not necessary for salvation, but it strengthens our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

1. What is the matter and form for the Sacrament of Confirmation? Essential elements? The matter of Confirmation is the Chrism Oil and the form of the sacrament is the words used in the sacraments. Be sealed by the gifts of the spirit, also, we are confirmed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 2. Explain the early church's understanding of Laying on of hands and being anointed with oil? Anointing symbolizes that we are chosen for Christ forever. The laying of the hands is the passing of the Holy Spirit. 3. Where do the 'gifts of the Spirit' come from (Scripture)? How are they communicated to us? This is the outpouring of Gods gifts that help us to live a Christian life. There are seven gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the lord. 4. Be able to explain the theology of how Jesus 'initiated' the sacrament of Confirmation. Jesus promised that the spirit would be passed down four times in scripture. 1.) Holy Spirit guides your defense against Jews 2.) Wind 3.) Last Supper and promise of Spirit after Jesus is gone 5. What happened at Pentecost and how is this event the first Sacrament of Confirmation? The Apostles received the Holy Spirit. Jesus said dont worry about what to say when arrested. This is the first confirmation because it had a permanent effect on the Apostles. It didnt include any essential elements. 6. What are the three sacred oils blessed at the Chrism Mass? (Jewish Culture) Oil of the Catechumen, Oil of the Sick, and Chrism Oil. Oil of the catechumen is used for RCIA, Oil of the Sick is used for Anointing of the Sick, and Chrism Oil is used for Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders

7. Be able to explain the split (double sacrament) and how the church continues to link them. Christianity became the favored religion and people flocked to the faith. They couldnt baptize everybody in one day. Another reason is transportation- it was hard for the Bishop to get everywhere to baptize people. Another reason is rural areas- hard for the Bishop to get to the little villages and towns. The last reason is vast geographic areas. 8. Who is Pope Pius X and what changes did he make within the initiation sacraments? Pope Pius changed the order of the sacraments to Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Today, it is Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The reason for changing the order is that people stopped going to Eucharist. He wanted to increase devotion to the Eucharist so he taught the Penitential Rite forgives venial sins. 9. What happened that the Sacrament of Confirmation was separated from Baptism? Christianity became the favored religion and people flocked to the faith. They couldnt baptize everybody in one day. Another reason is transportation- it was hard for the Bishop to get everywhere to baptize people. Another reason is rural areas- hard for the Bishop to get to the little villages and towns. The last reason is vast geographic areas. 10. What is the role of the Bishop in the Sacrament of Confirmation? RCIA? The Bishop in Confirmation is to anoint you with Chrism Oil. He also welcomes all the new members. In RCIA he baptizes you. 11. What contribution did the councils (Riez/Trent) make to the sacrament of Confirmation? In the 5th century, the Council of Riez was the first place where they used the term Confirmation for the second anointing. The council of

Trent made Confirmation and official sacrament. They also determined that confirmation would be at the age of discernment (12-14 years old back then). 12. What two things do we (should we) remember within the Sacrament of Confirmation? 13. Be able to place the ritual of Confirmation in sequence order. (8) 14. Be able to explain why the Church believes that Confirmation is necessary in the West. 15. What is the role of the Sponsor? What is their role within the ritual of Confirmation? 16. Be able to define the Regalia and all the symbols of the bishop's office. (Garb) 17. Be able to explain the 'sacramental seal' of Confirmation. 18. Be able to explain the 'grace' of Baptism. (4) 19. Be able to name and explain the three aims of Confirmation preparation? 20. What should the 'disposition' of a Confirmation candidate be? (6) 21. How does the sacrament of Confirmation for a deeper bond between the Church and us? 22. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in this Sacrament of Confirmation?