C.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

In order to recognize the characters and gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the
Church, in their community, family and personal life, the students may be able to;

1. Discuss the need for commitment or personal response to Christian faith.

2. Identify character of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
3. Explain what it means to say that the sacrament of Confirmation “brings to mind
and renews the Pentecost-event” in the life of the Christian and of the Church.
4. Describe how they can be a witness to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in
our Augustinian family.

1. The Meaning of the Sacrament of Confirmation

1. Meaning, purpose, and basis of the Sacrament of Baptism

What is Confirmation?

Sacrament of Confirmation is the second sacrament of initiation. The word means

“completion”. It also means “to establish more firmly,” or to make definite.” What we have
received in Baptism is strengthened or completed in confirmation. We make firm and definite
what we promised in baptism, or in the case of infant baptism, what the Church through our
parents and godparents promised on our behalf. In Baptism, a person has been incorporated
into the life and mission of Christ and of the Church. In confirmation, he is called to a more
mature life of witnessing to this life of Christ and of fuller participation in the life and mission of
the Church.
Vat. II – Divine Revelation
If this faith is to be shown, the grace of God and the interior help of the Holy Spirit
- must precede and assist,
- moving the heart and turning it to God,
 - opening the eyes of the mind, and
- giving joy and ease to everyone in assenting the truth and believing it.

Lumen Gentium, No. 11

By the Sacrament of Confirmation they are more perfectly bound to the Church and are
endowed with the special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are, as true witnesses
of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread the faith by word and deed.
Confirmation (or Chrismation) is the sacrament of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit whom Christ
Jesus sent (John 7:37-39, 16:7). Jesus instructed his Apostles that they "will receive the power
of the Holy Spirit" and called upon the Apostles to be his "witnesses to the ends of the earth"
(Acts 1:8). At the Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4), and began
to spread the Word of God. The Acts of the Apostles is often called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit.
St. Ephrem of Syria, as well as St. Cyril of Jerusalem, wrote of the Sacraments of Chrism and
Baptism in the mid-fourth century AD.

The rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead with chrism, together with the laying
on of the minister's hands and the words, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." The
recipient receives the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude,
knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3). On occasion one may receive one or
more of the charismatic gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

The ecclesial effect and sacramental grace of the sacrament give the recipient the
strength and character to witness for Jesus Christ. The East continues the tradition of the early
Christian Church by administering the sacrament with Baptism. Confirmation in the West is
administered by the Bishop to children from age 7 to 18, but generally to adolescents, for
example, to a graduating class of grade school children.

What does Sacred Scripture say about the sacrament of Confirmation?

Key Scriptural sources for Confirmation are the following (See also Acts 1:4-5, 2:1-4, 2:38,
10:44-48):
John 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I
do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Acts 8:14-17 "Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the
word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for
them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of
them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands
on them and they received the Holy Spirit."

Acts 19:1-6 "While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and
came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you
receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have never even heard that
there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's
baptism." And Paul said, "John baptized with he baptism of repentance, telling the people to
believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." On hearing this, they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy
Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied."

John 14:15-16 If you love me and obey the command I give you, I will ask the Father and he will
give you another Paraclete – to be with you always.
1 Cor. 12:9 Through the Holy Spirit, one receives Faith.
Gal. 5:5-6 It is in the Spirit that we eagerly await the justification we hope for and only faith can
yield it … only faith, which expresses itself through love.
2 Thess 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ, may God our Father who loved us and in his mercy
gave us eternal consolation and hope, console your hearts and strengthen them for every good
work and work.
Romans 14:17 Like the cool breeze that soothes our tired bodies bent under the heat of the
sun, the SPIRIT comes to bring freshness and vitality. When we live in the Spirit, we feel alive,
joyful, active and eager. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of
justice, peace and the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit.”
Ephesians 4:30-32 Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the
day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander and
malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate and mutually
forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.”
Acts 2:2 The confirmed Christian lives his life in the Spirit, and allows the Spirit to blow in his life
“like a strong, driving wind.” The power and gentleness of the wind suggest the gentle strength
of the Spirit’s activity.

PENTECOST EXPEREINCE OF THE APOSTLES AS RECORDED IN ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER

2.

1. Descent of the Holy Spirit

“Pentecost” was a great annual pilgrimage fiesta among the Jews. There was a big crowd of
Jewish pilgrim present. (verse-11) enumerates the various places where these pilgrim came
from. The account also describes the disciples of Jesus gathered in one place. Ancient Christian
tradition expressed in art form depicts then group as praying for the Holy Spirit promised to
them by Jesus while being unready as yet to take up the mission that Jesus entrusted to them.

“Suddenly, from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong driving wind which was
heard all through the house where they were seated. Tongues as of fire appeared which parted
and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Strong wind and fire (as in the Old Testament) express a special manifestation of the tongues of
fire implied the descent of the Holy Spirit on everyone in the assembly.

Note the effects of this event.

The disciples (who can now be fittingly called apostles) gained the courage to go out and begin
their mission. These used to be the same band of men Jesus called “men of little faith” of being
“slow to understand” a number of times in the gospels. The crowd, in turn, was made one by
the message the apostles proclaimed.

Peter’s Discourse (Act 2:14-41)

With the new courage and gift of remembrance from the Holy Spirit, Peter leads the apostles in
proclaiming Jesus, especially his death and resurrection, to the crowd. Verse 37 describes the
tremendous impact this message had on those present. They asked, “What must be do then,
brothers?”

Baptism and conversion of some three thousand people was the result of this first proclamation
of the Good News. At the very birth of the Church, then, was the Holy spirit and the
proclamation of the Good News.

Communal Life of the Early Christian (Acts 2: 42-47)

This account describes the life of the community formed on that Pentecost day. Three
activities marked their lives a young church: listening to the apostles’ instructions, gathering
together in prayer and in the breaking of the bread, sharing all things in common.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, they witnessed within their life as a community to the gospel
values of charity, compassion, unity and concern. With people around getting attracted to their
new way of life, the Christian community grew as many others underwent baptism and
conversion as their initiation into this new community.

Jesus knew that when he left his disciples things would be different. He knew how afraid his
followers would be and how they would need help to carry out the work he commissioned
them to do.

It would not be easy to be prophets who speak God’s message and to be witnesses of his
love, especially among a hostile and indifferent people. So Jesus promised to send the Holy
Spirit to be always with his Church (cf, John 14:16-19; 16:7-15). This Spirit would bring gifts
needed to build God’s kingdom of love.

In the Old Testament, through the prophet Joel, God so\poke of this Spirit: “I will pour out
my spirit upon all mankind . . . 9Joel 3:1; Acts 2:17). That Spirit did come to enliven the Church
with new life and a new spirit on that day of Pentecost.

This whole account of Pentecost shows the role of the Holy Spirit in the birth and in the on-
going mission of the Church.
 2. Effect of the Sacrament of Confirmation to the recipient

What happens in Confirmation?

a. To make us strong and mature Christians

Plants and animals grow. Man
grows, too in body, in mind and in spirit; so
too, does man’s relationship with God,
begun at Baptism. Like a seed that opens
up, establishes roots, and then sprouts up
and grows, man grows in faith, especially
through the Sacrament of confirmation.

The seal of the Spirit given at

confirmation brings us fully into membership
in the Church. It initiates more deeply into
the community of believers. This demands a
change in man – growth into the likeness of Christ, our Head. The Spirit brings about this
growth. He comes with his gifts in order to build up man as a Church member and a Christ-
follower.

Above all, he gives a CHARACTER, that distinguishes man as a full-fledged member, with
all the rights and duties, to enable him to share in the mission of the Church.

b. To become witnesses of Jesus Christ

Like the little plant that begins to spread out its branches and leaves, the confirmed
Christian opens himself to the people around him. He receives the mission of witnesses and
apostle.

Man live in a world that wants him to conform. He dress up in the latest fashion
because that the fad. He buys the newest gadget because everyone uses it. Do I also take up
the values and attitudes of the world, even when it means a betrayal of my Christian identity?
Often, yes.

The Spirit in confirmation gives us strength to say “No” to the crowd. He endows us
with courage to live the kind of life that spells out a difference and gives testimony to Christ.
He makes me stand out as a young Christian witness and apostle.

Once confirmed, I am no longer an infant in the faith. I am a responsible Christian.

Christ and the Church can depend on us, even when the going gets rough. Our light may
sometimes flicker, but it shall never die out. Our hands may sometimes tremble, but they shall
never tire out. Our heart may sometimes beat slower, but it shall never stop. The Spirit is with
us. We proclaim Christ through our LIFE.

c. To become lay apostles of the Catholic Church.

We read in Holy Scripture about Confirmation that Jesus promised to send the Holy
Spirit, that the Apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, and that they gave Confirmation
to the Christians.

3. Rite of Confirmation

The MATTER of Confirmation is Holy Chrism.

The word Chrism – comes from chrisma, a Greek word meaning, “anointing” or
“unction”.
For a long time, chrism is meant as any substance used for anointing. Around 1300 it
began to be used in the Roman rite solely to signify the oil mixed with balsam which was
blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday for the administration of Confirmation.
The oil of olives permeates all that it touches, and gives the body agility and the glow of
health. Even today athletes anoint themselves with oil to make their limits strong and supple.
Oil that aptly signifies the graces of Confirmation which permeate the soul and render it strong
and supple in the exercise of virtue.
Balsam is medicinal oil and preserves from corruption. Its presence in the oil of
Confirmation signifies that the grace of the Sacrament preserves one from the corruption of sin:
its pleasing odor indicates the good odor of Christ which the confirmed person ought to diffuse
around him through a virtuous life.
In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what
it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal.(CCC #1293)
Oil, in biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning:
a. Oil is a sign of abundance and joy : It cleanses (anointing before and after bath) and limbers
(the anointing of athletes and wrestlers)
b. Oil is a sign of healing: It is soothing to bruises and wounds, and it makes radiant with
beauty, health and strength.
FORM OF Confirmation is; The bishop prays that the person
to be confirmed may receive the Holy Spirit, and, while
laying his right hand on their heads, he anoints each person
on the forehead, saying: “N., be sealed with the gift of the
Holy Spirit.”
Who may confirm?

THE MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION

A. Ordinary minister – bishop
 B. In case of emergency and in danger of death, if no bishop is available – parish Priest
(who is granted the power of administration the sacrament of confirmation).

Condition to Receive the sacrament Confirmation Worthily are:

Who can be confirmed, and what is required of a candidate for Confirmation?

Any Catholic Christian who has received the →SACRAMENT of Baptism and is in the “state of grace” can
be admitted to →CONFIRMATION.
a person separates himself from God and can be reconciled with God only by making a good confession.
A (young) Christian who is preparing for Confirmation finds himself in one of the most important phases
of his life. He will do everything possible to grasp the faith with his heart and his understanding; he will
pray alone and with others for the Holy Spirit; he will reconcile himself in every way with himself, with
the people around him, and with God. Confession is part of this, since it brings one closer to God even if
one has not committed a mortal sin.

Confirmation is given to the children who are twelve (12) years old or above because at this age
they can already recognize what is right or wrong.

4. Responsibilities of Godparents

a. Pray for his godchild, especially on the anniversary of the reception of the Sacrament
b. Instruct himself in the faith that he may reach his godchild in case of need
c. Follow the godchild’s spiritual development, especially when the parents are dead,
watching over his friends, readings amusements, etc.
d. Give him good example and guide him in the practice of the apostolate.

DUTIES IMPOSED BY CONFIRMATION

1. He must progress in Christian

perfection till he reaches the perfect
manhood of Christ. This demands that
he continually strive to realize in
himself the two aspects of Baptism:
death to sin and rising to the life of
grace.
2. He must be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit.
3. He must respond to the call to battle which every Christian faces, and pledge himself to the
defense and expansion of the reign of God in the world.
4. He must feel the duty of edifying the mystical body, the universal Church by the testimony
of his life.
The Mission of Holiness

The mission of the Spirit is a mission of holiness for the whole Christian community. His task is
to pull man out of sin by strengthening him against the tendencies of the flesh, in order to bring
him to God. That is sanctification or “making holy.”

The Spirit carries out this mission through the many gifts he bestows on men. Beginning with
Baptism and through all the other sacraments, the Spirit sanctifies the members of the Christian
community, certain people are chosen to minister, or to render service through a given task.
The Spirit endows them with his MINISTERIAL gifts. Other members receive particular gifts –
CHARISMATIC – for the good of the whole community. Each one is equipped to build up the
community.

The Spirit works o each one, endowing us with gifts of holiness. But he also works through each
one allowing us to influence one another and o bring about holiness in the whole community.

The Holy Spirit … gives the faithful special gifts besides “allotting them to each one as he wills,”
so that each and all, putting at the service of others the grace received may be “as good
stewards of God’s varied gift,” for the building up of the whole body in charity.

The Holy Spirit is the vivifying source of the Church’s sacramental life and her ministry of Word
and service. He sanctifies and leads the Church, that she may gradually transform the whole
world into the kingdom of God here on earth and ceaselessly promote a civilization of love.

5. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1.Gift of wisdom: It gave them a true sense of values rooted in the supernatural, and a burning
zeal for the things of the spirit.

2. Gift of understanding: They possessed a deep insight into the truth which for three years
Christ tried so patiently to instill into them but which they had understood very little.
3. Gift of Counsel: They gave them a sure instinct to the best course of action.
4. Gift of knowledge: They gave them the best course of action in the face of manifold and
pressing practical problems that faced them as leaders of the rapidly growing Church.
5. Gift of fortitude: It was especially resplendent in their lives, beginning from that Pentecost
day when they threw open the doors of the Cenacle, hitherto locked for fear of the Jews, in
order to preach Christ fearlessly.
6. Gift of fear of the Lord: They were afraid only one thing – to disobey and displease the God
they loved with all their hearts.
7. Gift of Piety: It revealed itself in their basic attitude towards God, especially in their sermons
and epistles: “Of his own will he has begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be, as it
were the first fruits of his creatures” (James 1:18).
OTHER FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
 1. Charity 2. Faith 3. Joy 4. Modesty
5. Peace 6. Continency 7. Patience 8. Longanimity
9. Kindness 10. Mildness 11. Goodness 12. Chastity

Because of the great mission of the apostles, they also received the more extraordinary and
spectacular gifts of the Spirit called CHARISMATIC GIFTS.