Chapter THE BEGINNING OF THE

CHURCH:
Lesson 1: New Chosen People of God
1
THE BEGINNING OF THE ;
DISCERN
New Chosen People of God
CHURCH
Why Study Church History?

❖ To come to know Jesus better through his Church and its teachings
❖ To gain a better sense of our identity as Catholic Christians
❖ To be able to address many of the common errors and inaccuracies about the Church
and its history
❖ To learn how best to express God’s Word in today’s world
 As an institution established by Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church has a divine origin. But as
an institution led by and populated with human beings, it is also subject to the faults of
humans.
 During the long history of the Catholic Church, man y of its members and some of those
who led it have certainly erred, making poor decisions that resulted in sin and suffering.
 But many more of its members and leaders were also saints, men and women who lived
and died for Jesus Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
 And during that same long history, the Church has not only preserved intact the deposit of
faith, but has also brought about the development and preservation of much of civilization
as we know it.

1. The Nature of the Church

Church is a union of human beings who are united by the profession of the same

Christian faith, and by participation of and in the same sacraments under the direction
of their lawful pastors, especially of the one representative of Christ on earth, the Bishop of
Rome. (Council of Trent, Hardon p.76).

Paragraph 751 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

The word “Church” (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, “to call out of” means a
convocation or an assembly. It designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a
religious purpose.

Ekklesia - is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament “qahal” for the assembly of the
Chosen People before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received
the Law and was established by God as his holy people. By calling itself “Church”. In the
Church, God is “calling together” his people from all the ends of the earth. The equivalent
Greek term Kyriake, from which the English word Church and the German Kirche are derived,
means “what belongs to the Lord”.

Ecclesiology – is the study of the church.

2. The Foundation of the Church

- The Church traces its origin in the Holy Trinity’s plan and is progressively realized in history.
(cf.CCC 785). Robert Kress in his book The Church: Communion, Sacrament,
Communication”, believes that the Trinity is the transcendent divine origin of the Church.
This Church is the culmination of a long movement whereby the life and being of God is
shared with humans, and Godly sharing is rooted in the triune Person of God.

A. The Church – A plan Born in the Father’s Heart

- The father, in accordance with the gratuitous and mysterious design of His wisdom and
goodness, created the whole universe and wiled to raise men up to share in His own divine
life to which He calls all men in His Son.

B. The Church-Instituted by Jesus Christ

- In accomplishing the Father’s plan of salvation, Jesus instituted the Church. Through His
actions during his earthly ministry, Jesus laid down the foundation of the Church.

1. The Calling of the Disciples

- Jesus started His ministry by calling mankind towards Him. (Jn. 1: 37-43)
2. The Calling of the Apostles
- When day came, He called his disciples to himself, and from them He chose Twelve, whom He
also named apostles: Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James,
John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon whom
was called Zealot, and Judas the son of James , and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.(
Lk 6:13-16)

3. Jesus instituted the primary of Peter

- This Church will be built on Simon bar Jona, supernaturally reconstituted as Peter, that Rock
against which rains will come and floods surge, and winds blows, and the very powers of hell
will beat-but in vain, for this Rock is a man and an institution strengthened by Christ. (Matt.,
chap.16)

4. Institution of the Eucharist & the Sacrament

- The great effect of redemption will be the prospect of eternal life for mankind. -
(Matt. 18:11, 20:28), (Jn 3:5), (Jn 6:54-55), (Lk 22:19), (Jn. 20:23), Jn 15:5).

5. The Death on the Cross & Victorious Resurrection

- Although the whole life of Jesus was ordained to the institution of the Church, the Fathers of

the Church and the Magisterium, have considered that the Church is born primarily of Christ’s
total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on
the Cross.
- This foundation origin and growth of the Church is symbolized by the blood and water that
flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus. (Jn 19:34)
- After His Victorious Resurrection, Christ has commissioned the apostles to continue His
Mission to the ends of the world. (Mt.28:18-20) , (Mk 16:15-16), (Lk 10:16)
- The Church is the pillar and ground of truth, not the Bible. The Church which is infallible
declared the canon of the infallible inspired books of the Bible.

6. The Pentecost
- The coming of the Holy Spirit completes the institution of the Church. On the day of Pentecost,
the Church was completed and manifested to men as a means of salvation.
- Jesus prepared the essential elements: (Doctrine, Sacraments, Apostolic College, Primary of
Peter).
- It is the birthday of the Church.
C. The Church-Revealed by the Holy
Spirit
- The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church at Pentecost did not inaugurate the Church. It
already existed (Act 1:5). But Pentecost was the moment when the Church was specifically
endowed with power from on high (Lk 24:49; Acts 1: 18).
- The Spirit is the gift of God to all who believe and are baptized.
- He was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that He might continually sanctify the Church.

3. The Purpose & Mission of the Church

- The mission of the Church is focused, as is Jesus’ mission on the kingdom of God. Literally the
Kingdom of God is the reign or rule of God. The Kingdom happens whenever the will of
God is fulfilled, for God rules where God’s will is at work.

The mission of the whole Church includes:

1. The proclamation of the Word of God, both internally and extremely

2. The celebration of the sacraments, especially the eucharist.
3. The witnessing of the Gospel through a life of discipleship.
4. The rendering of service to those in need, both inside and outside of the Church.

4. The Scriptural Images of the Church

- The Church of the New Testament is portrayed according to various images, the three most
important of which are: People of God, Body of Christ and Temple of the Holy Spirit.

1. The Church – People of God

- The Church, the New people of God is founded on a New Covenant in Christ.

- Vatican II’s favorite image of the Church is the New people of God. Prefigured in the Old
Covenant which Yahweh set up with the people of Israel, “Christ instituted the New Covenant…
calling together a people… according to the spirit.
- The pre-Vatican II emphasis on the Catholic Church as “Hierarchical Institution” which
tended to make study of the Church more akin to hierarchology than to ecclesiology.
- With Christ, there came something new – a new election, a new divine call, a new
Covenant, a new people, a messianic people to which all men are called.
2. The Church – Body of Christ
- The Church is born of the personal communion between Jesus and His Disciples. Thus, the
Church is not just like a body, but IS THE BODY OF CHRIST, really made one in Him, in His
“mystical” Body.
 - Mystical does not mean unreal but rather a reality not limited to sensible appearances.
Therefore, it is accessible to faith alone because it belongs to the mystery of God’s salvific plan
hidden for endless ages but revealed in the Gospel.
- Just as the resurrection is central to the New Testament Christology, so it is central to New
Testament, and especially to the Pauline ecclesiology. When the Christian share in the bread
of the Eucharist, he or she becomes one body with Christ.
3. Temple of the Holy Spirit

- Because the Church is the Body of Christ, it can also be called the Temple of the Holy
Spirit. The Spirit proceeds from the Lord of the Spirit who through his resurrection has become a
lifegiving spirit. Just as Jesus identified himself with the Temple, so the body of Christ is itself
new
Temple.

- The Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church

- The Holy Spirit makes the Church the “temple of the living God”.
- The Holy Spirit is the principle of every vital and truly saving action in each part of the body.
He works in many ways to build up the body of Christ (Eph 4:16).

Other Scriptural names of the Church:

❖ Church of God – Acts 20:28

❖ Church of the Living God – 1 Tim. 3:15
❖ Church of the Firstborn – Hebrew 12:23

❖ Israel of God – Gal. 6:16

Source: THE CHURCH AND SACRAMENTS, ENTILA 2008

Chapter THE CONSTITUTION OF

1 Lesson 2: THE CHURCH
 THE CONSTITUTION OF
DISCERN THE
CHURCH
Christ’s Faithful – Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life
- The Christian faithful are those who, inasmuch as they have been incorporated in Christ
through baptism, have been constituted as the people of God. The Hierarchical
Constitution of the Church Why the ecclesial ministry?
- Because Christ is Himself the source of ministry in the Church. He instituted the Church.
He
gave her authority and mission, orientation and goal.

The members of the hierarchy are divided into three classes with different power of orders:
Deacons, Priests, Bishops. This order of rank has been in the Church from the time of the
Apostles .

1. DEACONS
- can baptize, preach and give holy communion.
- Biblical basis of the ministry of the Deacon (servant/diakonoi) - The apostles ordained the
first deacons.
2. PRIESTS
- assist the Bishop, have higher orders than deacons.
- they can offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and forgive sins on the sacrament of

Penance. They can administer all sacrament excepts those of Confirmation and Holy
Orders.
- The word “priest” is derived from the Greek presbyter, which means “the elder”, a term

used by the first converted Jews. A priest is addressed as “Father”.

- Biblical basis of the ministry of the Priest (elders/presbyters)
3. BISHOPS

- high priest of the Diocese

- assist by the Diocese/Arch Diocese/higher Diocese.
- have full power of orders; the successors of the Apostles.
- A bishop administers all the sacraments; he alone administers Holy Orders. He
consecrates holy oils, churches, chalices, etc. Archbishops, primates, patriarchs, and even the
Pope himself have no fuller power of orders than a bishop of a missionary diocese, - Cardinal
chosen by the Pope and become one of the electors/elect a new Pope.
- Biblical basis of the ministry of the Bishop (overseer/episcopoi)
As successors of the Apostles the Bishops, joins the Pope in shepherding over the people of God
by dispensing the following office or function of a shepherd:

a. The Teaching Office – proclaiming the truth

b. The Sanctifying Office – Celebrating the mass/offer sacrifices
c. The Governing Office – set rules/define right or wrong
- remind people that they are abusing

4. THE LAY FAITHFUL

- The term ‘laity’ is here understood to mean all the faithful except those in Holy Orders and
those who belong to a religious state approved by the Church. That is, the faithful, who by
Baptism are incorporated into Christ and integrated into the People of God, are made sharers in

their particular way in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ, and have their own part
to play in the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world.
a. The vocation of lay people
b. The participation of lay people in Christ’s priestly office
c. Participation in Christ’s prophetic office
d. Participation in Christ’s kingly office

THE PRIMACY OF ST. PETER

- The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the “rock” of his Church. He gave him
the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.
- This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church’s very foundation
and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope .
 A. Jesus named Simon as Kephas, which means “Immovable Rock”
He brought him to Jesus, Jesus looked at him, and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you
are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock. (Jn. 1:42, Jerusalem Bible)
- in the Aramaic language of Jesus “Kephas/Cephas” means immovable Rock, “evna”
means small stone and “Simon” means grains of sand. A popular Protestant Bible dictionary
states “Cephas”, an Aramaic surname given by Christ to Simon (Jn. 1:42), meaning ‘Rock’. The
Greeks translated it by ‘Petros’ and the Latin by ‘Petrus’.

- Kepha means ‘rock’ and Kepha means Peter, then Peter means ‘rocks’.

THE PRIMACY OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE POPE

1. THE POPE
- Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, “is the perpetual and visible source and foundation
of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.”
- For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire
Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can
always exercise unhindered.

THE PAPAL TEACHING PRIMACY OR THE PAPAL INFALLIBILITY

- In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles, Christ
who is the Truth willed to confer on her a share in his on infallibility. (CCC889)

- To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church’s shepherds with the charism of infallibility
in

matters of faith and morals. The exercise of this charism takes several forms.

- The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his
office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful- who confirms his brethren in the
faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals.

Chapter THE ESSENTIAL ATRRIBUTES

1 Lesson 3: OF THE
CHURCH

THE ESSENTIAL
DISCERN ATRRIBUTES OF THE CHURCH
1. The Indefectibility/Perpetuity in Existing
- Continuing to exist, the Church will not be destroyed.

In saying that the Church is indefectible, we believe that the Church will
never be destroyed and will continue to exist until the end of the world, and she
 will remain faithful to her teaching, her constitution and her liturgy. This does
not exclude the decay of individual “churches” and accidental changes.
The Church remains and will remain as the Institution of Salvation until
the end of
the world. That means the Church will
remain to be an eternal and indestructible kingdom.

2. The infallibility in Teaching

- The infallibility of the Church means that the Church, by the special
assistance of the Holy Spirit, cannot commit an error when it teaches or
believes a doctrine of faith or morals.
- The Church’s final decision on doctrines concerning faith and moral is
infallible (without error). Infallibility is differentiated from impeccability (inability
to commit sin). The Church, even though infallible in faith and morals, is not
impeccable.

3. Authority in Ruling

- The authority of the Catholic Church means that the pope and the bishops,
as the lawful successors of the Apostle, have power from Christ Himself to
teach, sanctify, and to govern the faithful in spiritual matters. Jesus delegates
all the power to Apostles:

a. The power to forgive sin: (Jn. 20:21-23)

b. The power to offer sacrifice (Eucharist): (1 Cor. 11:23-24)
c. The power to speak with Christ’s voice: (Lk. 10:16)
d. The power to legislate: (Mt. 18:18)
e. The power to discipline: (Mt.18:17)

4. The Visibility on Earth

- Visibility is that quality of the Church on the ground of which she

appears externally and perceptively to the senses. There is the visible sacrifice,
visible priesthood and visible foundation. Church’s visibility is denied by the
Spiritualistic Sects of the Middle Ages, by Huss and the Reformers. According
to them, the Church is the invisible communion of the saved.
 1. The Church is ONE

- “United/Unity”
- The sacred mystery of the Church’s unity
The Church is one because of her source: “the highest exemplar and source of this mystery is the
unity, in the Trinity of Persons, of one God, the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit.”

The Church is one because of her founder: for “the Word made flesh, the prince of peace,
reconciled all men to God by the cross, . . .
restoring the unity of all in one people and ne body.

The Church is one because of her soul: “it is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in those who believe and
pervading and ruling over the entire Church, who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful
and joins them together so intimately in Christ that he is the principle of the Church’s unity.” Unity is
the essence of the Church. (CCC. 813)
1. The Church is HOLY
- “Divine”
- Holiness of its origin and destination.
- The Church. . . is held, as a matter of faith, to be unfailingly holy. This is because Christ,
the Son of God, who with the Father and the Spirit is hailed as ‘alone holy’, loved the
Church as his bridge, giving himself up for her so as to sanctify her; he joined her to himself as
his body and endowed her with the gift of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.” the Church, then
is the holy People of God,” and her members are called “saints.” (CCC823)

Scandals in the Church:

Major Cause of Scandal before the world.

A. Heresy

- The obstinate denial or doubt by baptized person of a truth which must be believed by divine
and catholic faith.

B. Apostasy

- The total repudiation of the Christian Faith.

C. Schism

-The withdrawal of submission to the supreme Pontiff.

1. The Church is CATHOLIC

- “Universal”
- The word “catholic” means “universal”, in the sense of “according to the totality” or “in
keeping with the whole”. The Church is catholic in a double sense. (CCC830)

First, being endowed with the “fullness of the means for salvation.”

Second, the church is world-wide, sent to all people.

2. The Church is APOSTOLIC

- “Origin”/ “missionary from the Apostles.”

The church is “Apostolic” in three basic ways:

 1. Jesus Christ grounded her permanently “on the foundation of the apostles”.
2. She guards and transmits their teaching and witness.
3. She continues to be instructed, sanctified and guided by the apostles through their successors.

- When day came, He called his disciples to himself, and from them He chose Twelve, whom He
also named apostles: Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon whom was called
Zealot, and Judas the son of James , and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.(
Lk 6:13-16)

Apostolate – the work of all the faithful who carry on the original mission entrusted by Christ to his
apostles.

Chapter THE DOCTRINE OF THE

SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL
2 Lesson 4:
 THE DOCTRINE OF THE
SACRAMENTS IN
GENERAL
Discern

A. The nature of the Sacraments:

1. The Concept of Sacrament

Sacrament

- Comes from the Latin word “sacramentum” and Greek word “mysterion” (mystery).

Sacrament - an outward/visible /sensible sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Jesus – the primordial or basic sacrament of the Father

Church – the sacrament of Christ to continue his saving mission to mankind.

2. The Constituent Parts of the Sacramental Sign

- The outward sign of the sacrament is composed of two

essential parts: a. matter – the thing or action which are visible

b. form – the words or the formula used.

B. The Efficacy and Effects of the Sacraments:

Grace - the supernatural life of God in us

Sanctifying grace – makes us holy

Actual grace – helps and protects us by enlightening our minds and strengthening our will

Sacramental grace – specific grace conferred by sacrament

C. The Institution and the Sevenfold Nature of the Sacraments

1. The Institution of the Sacraments by Christ

➢ All the sacraments of the new Covenant were instituted by Christ immediately
and personally. Christ fixed the substance (essence) of the Sacraments. The Church
has no power to alter them.

2. The Seven Sacraments

➢ Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism,
Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the sick, Holy Orders, and
Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments
of Christian life: they give birth and maturity, healing and mission to the Christian’s life
of faith.
The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism

➢ Is the sacrament in which man is spiritually reborn, after being washed with water in the
name of the Three Divine Persons. It is true sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ.
➢ The word baptism comes from a Greek word baptizein that means: “To plunge” or “To
immerse” (go under) and Latin Baptisma.
➢ Through this a person is cleansed of all sin and reborn and sanctified in Christ to
everlasting life.

The Outward Sign of Baptism

- The matter for baptism is true and natural water.

- The form of Baptism: “I baptize you (name) in the name of the Father and the Son and of the

Holy Spirit.”

Why is baptism the most important sacrament?

➢
Because it transforms us into God’s people.
➢
We receive Christ’s salvation and new life.
➢
It gives us the promise of eternal life.
➢
Forgives original sin.
What does baptism symbolize?
➢
Going under water symbolizes our burial into the death of Christ.
➢
It also symbolizes our rising up to new life in Christ.
➢
Our union with Christ in this life and the next. What are the things that are needed in
baptism?
Oil -chrism-scented
➢
Used to anoint kings and queens.
Water
➢
Essential part of the rite-represents cleansing-death to old life- rising to new life.
The white garment
➢
symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ,"42 has risen with Christ.
The candle
➢
lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte.
In him the baptized are "the light of the world."43
The newly baptized is now, in the only Son, a child of God entitled to say the prayer of the
children of God: "Our Father."
Why do we receive baptism?

Through baptism the baptized:

➢ Share in Christ’s suffering and death.

➢ Share in Christ’s new life.

➢ Is called to live on this earth as Jesus lived.

➢ Share in one destiny, eternal life with God.

➢ Becomes a member of the body of Christ.

There are three types of baptism:

• Baptism of water

• Baptism of blood

• Baptism of desire

1. What is baptism of water?

➢ Almost invariable with the use of water into Christianity.

➢ Baptism has been called a holy sacrament in an ordinance of Jesus Christ.

2. What is baptism of blood?

➢ Those who although not baptized died for the Christian faith.

➢ Their blood unites them with Christ and his destiny.

3. What is baptism of desire?

➢ Those who although not baptized wished in this life to receive baptism, but died before
its
reception.

➢ Those who although do not know Christ, live and follow the will of God on this earth.

The seal of Baptism is:

➢ An eternal mark on the person’s soul.

➢ This mark makes the person belong to Christ.

➢ It can’t never be erased.

➢ It enables the person to do God’s will on this earth.

What are other names for this seal?

• The seal of the Holy Spirit.

• The seal of the Lord.

• The seal of eternal life.

How is the sacrament of baptism celebrated?
➢ The sign of the cross.
➢ The reading of the word of God.
➢ Blessing of the water and invocation of the Spirit of God.
➢ Exorcism
➢ Anointing with the oil of catechumens.
➢ Renunciation of sin.
➢ Profession of faith.
➢ Anointing with Chrism.
➢ Clothing with White garment.
➢ Lighted Candle.
Who are the ordinary ministers of baptism?

➢ The bishop
➢ The priest
➢ The Deacon
In case of emergency who can baptized?
➢ Anyone, including of non-Catholic.
➢ The baptism has to be in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and water has to
be used to baptized the dying person.
Chapter THE SACRAMENT
Lesson 5:
2 CONFIRMATIO
OF
NOBJECTIVES

The Sacrament of
Confirmation
DISCERN

Confirmation
-is a Sacrament of Initiation in which we become full-fledged members of the Church and in
which we receive the seal or the sign of the Holy Spirit who in turn strengthens us to live and
share our faith in God.
-What is Confirmation ?
-Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the
"sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to
the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion
of baptismal.
Signs of the Sacrament of Confirmation
 Anointing with chrism and laying on of hands in the sacrament of Confirmation are
powerful signs of Jesus’ presence. These signs give us a clue how to live and love like
Jesus.
1. Chrism Oil
 In the Bible, oil has many uses. It is used to heal the person who is sick. Oil is poured
over the person who is given a special task. Chrism suggests healing, choice, strength, ease
of movement, energy and joy.
2. Anointing with Chrism
 It is a special sign in confirmation. This is a practice or tradition. In the Bible, it has many
meanings; it has many uses like in choosing an individual for a special task. Through
anointing with holy chrism, we share in the mission of Christ and hence we are called
Christians. It is a sign that tells us we should be “Jesus” to and for others.
3. Laying on of Hands
 Laying on of hands is an old gesture. In the Bible, laying on of hands is done to a person
who is chosen to do a certain task for God. At Confirmation, laying on of hands
suggests that the power
of the Holy Spirit is given to each candidate along with all the rights and responsibilities
of being a Christian.
SPONSORS
➢ The role of the sponsor is to help the one being confirmed remain firm and strong in
the faith.
➢ They provide spiritual help for the candidate preparing for Confirmation and who, by
the example of their lives, show to live as a Christian.
➢ If possible, should be one of your Baptismal Godparents.

The rite consists of the following:

 The pastor presents the candidates to the bishop.
 The candidates are asked to renew their promises made during baptism.
 The bishop extends his hand over the one being confirmed (this laying on of hands
symbolizes the giving of the Holy Spirit.)
 The sponsor or Godparents present the candidate by name.
 The bishop dips his right thumb in the chrism and then makes the sign of the cross on
the forehead of the candidate and says,” _____ (name), be sealed with the gift of the
Holy Spirit. The candidate responds, “Amen”.
 The Bishop greets the newly confirmed with the sign of peace.
THE SEVEN GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRITS
WISDOM
- The gift that leads us to judge everything according to the viewpoint of God.

UNDERSTANDING
- The gift that gives us better and deeper insight into the mysteries of the Christian faith.
COUNSEL
- The gift that grants us the insight for doing the right thing under difficult circumstances.

FORTITUDE
- The gift of strength, steadfastness and courage to enable us to obey and do God's will at all
times

KNOWLEDGE
- The gift that enables us to discern and discover the will of God in all things and judge everything
according to this divine perspective

PIETY
- The gift that perfects our love for God.

FEAR of the LORD

- The gift that equips us with a dread of sin and of offending God.
- The signs of the Spirit’s presence in our lives are called the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The fruits of
the Holy Spirit are qualities that help us become the persons God wants us to be. They are
love, gentleness, peace, kindness, patience, generosity, faithfulness, joy, and self-control.

THE MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION

- The original minister of Confirmation is the bishop.
- Only the Bishop can delegate (appoint) a priest to confirm in his name on special
occasion.