The Family-Centered Life

May 05, 2007

from 2 weeks ago:

Kevin’s confirmation day

Two things the Bishop said that stuck in my mind;

“Being confirmed does not make you an ‘adult’ in the Church - that’s bad theology.”

“Be on fire for your Faith. We don’t need anymore lukewarm Catholics.”

Amen!

Since some family members who read this blog aren’t Catholic I’ll explain what exactly Confirmation is. For starters it isn’t (as mentioned above) when you become an adult in the Church. If you’re Catholic and you thought that you aren’t alone. I did too and I have heard it said for years. But alas it’s a misconception or “bad theology” as Bishop Kevin called it so let’s get it straight what confirmation really is and does.

In short, Confirmation completes baptism. But there’s more to it than that and since the Church already explains it better than I ever could I’ll just use the CCC as my main source here. But don’t stop here - READ THE REST - trust me, this is good stuff!

And anyway I expounded on it in places and maybe added some commentary.

OK, at confirmation the “confirmands” are anointed with oil (Chrism it’s called and it smells wonderful).

By this anointing the confirmand receives the “mark,” or seal of the Holy Spirit.

In John 6:27 Jesus tells us that “God the Father set His seal” on Him.

We Christians are also marked with a seal:”But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us;he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Cor 21-22

“In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:13

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Eph 4:30

This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial. Cf. Rev 7:2-3; 9:4; Ezek 9:4-6

In the Roman [Latin] Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, “the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: ‘Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti’ [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.].”

The Bishop then says to the newly confirmed “Peace be with you” to which they answer “and also with you” This sign of peace which concludes the rite of the sacrament signifies and demonstrates ecclesial communion with the bishop and with all the faithful.

. . .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, “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, and never to be ashamed of the Cross:

Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God’s presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.

Like Baptism which it completes, 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.

CCC 1285 - 1304

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Now, is that cool or what?

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