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The Sacrament of Confirmation
- By Anne Van Tilburg
- Published 10/22/2008
- Sacraments
- Unrated
Confirmation is the Sacrament that makes us strong and perfect Christians. Baptism is our spiritual rebirth. In the natural life the change is gradual from childhood to adolescence. In the spiritual life, this change is not gradual, but comes about by the reception of Confirmation. As we reach adult age only once, so too, in the spiritual life, the Sacrament of Confirmation can be received only once, and like Baptism it leaves an indelible (impossible to be removed) character (mark) on the soul, which will be for our greater happiness in Heaven or greater torment and shame in Hell if we are lost.
In the New Testament frequent mention is made of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Thus in the "Acts of the Apostles" we read:
"The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had received the word of God, so they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:14-17.)
The outward sign of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the laying on of the Bishop's hands and the anointing with consecrated oil called "Chrism." The Bishop says: "I sign you with the sign of the Cross, and I confirm you with the chrism of salvation in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." In all times in religious rites anointing with oil has signified special consecration of the life to God's service. The sweet odor of the oil signifies the sweet odour of our virtues, which should always arise from the soul of a true Christian to the throne of God. The Bishop also gives the recipient of Confirmation a slight blow on the cheek to signify that he is the disciple of a crucified Master and must now be ready, if needs be, to suffer in the cause of the Faith; as were the Apostles who after receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer imprisonment, scourging and death for their Divine Master. Jesus Christ has said: "Everyone that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in Heaven." (Matt. 10:32-33)
The Catechism tells us the besides the special courage and strength we receive in Confirmation to live always as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we also receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in their fullness. They are: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and the fear of the Lord.
Wisdom here means true wisdom as distinguished from the false wisdom of the world. "The wise man of the world seeks for the world's wealth, honors and pleasures. But if he neglects his soul, no matter what the world may think of him, Christ calls him a fool" (Luke 12:20.) He alone is wise who knows his end is heaven and strives to attain it. True wisdom sets its value on the only things that are really worth possessing - namely, the treasures that God gives, which do not pass way with time but which last forever.
Understanding. Faith tells us that God is good and beautiful. many people believe that; but it has no influence on their lives. Understanding gives us a deep penetration into the meaning of these great teachings of our Faith; so that they become an active factor in shaping our lives. It also gives us a deeper penetration into the meaning of the words of Holy Scripture. Counsel: Sometimes we are in doubt as to the best way of acting in certain circumstances. The Holy Spirit becomes our guide by the gift of counsel. Fortitude: At other times we may know well what we should do. But we feel too weak, of ourselves, to face up to it. By the gift of fortitude the Holy Spirit becomes our strength and says: "Fear nothing, I will be with you." It is this gift that made brave unflinching martyrs of weak women and children, even when they were confronted with tortures that could make a strong man shake with fear.
Knowledge here refers to knowledge of God's creatures, in so far as it raises the mind to the Creator. A scientist may know all about the stars with their wonders; all about the earth with its plants and flowers, and remain an atheist. The man who has the gift of knowledge sees God mirrored in all his creatures. "The Heavens show forth the glory of God." (Ps. 117.) For him the flowers are reflections of God's goodness and beauty. The goodness he sees in his fellow-men too, is for him only a reflex of God's perfections. So by this precious gift of the Holy Spirit, instead of leading him away from God, all creatures bring him nearer to God.
Piety and Fear of the Lord: These two gifts supplement each other. The fear of the Lord is first of all reverential fear. It reminds us that we are creatures wholly dependent on God, and it fills us with humility and reverence in His presence. It is also fear of offending Him, and this is useful to us as a help in avoiding sin, or in turning away from sin committed: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Ps. 110.) Piety brings us near to God in love and confidence, as a child goes to a loving Father. And it reminds us if we have sinned, that He is merciful and forgiving.
Preparation: To receive it worthily we must be in state of grace, without mortal sin. The usual preparation for Confirmation is a good confession, reception of Holy Communion and fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit may bestow His gifts upon us.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit. "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the New Testament frequent mention is made of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Thus in the "Acts of the Apostles" we read:
"The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had received the word of God, so they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:14-17.)
The outward sign of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the laying on of the Bishop's hands and the anointing with consecrated oil called "Chrism." The Bishop says: "I sign you with the sign of the Cross, and I confirm you with the chrism of salvation in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." In all times in religious rites anointing with oil has signified special consecration of the life to God's service. The sweet odor of the oil signifies the sweet odour of our virtues, which should always arise from the soul of a true Christian to the throne of God. The Bishop also gives the recipient of Confirmation a slight blow on the cheek to signify that he is the disciple of a crucified Master and must now be ready, if needs be, to suffer in the cause of the Faith; as were the Apostles who after receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer imprisonment, scourging and death for their Divine Master. Jesus Christ has said: "Everyone that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in Heaven." (Matt. 10:32-33)
The Catechism tells us the besides the special courage and strength we receive in Confirmation to live always as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we also receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in their fullness. They are: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and the fear of the Lord.
Wisdom here means true wisdom as distinguished from the false wisdom of the world. "The wise man of the world seeks for the world's wealth, honors and pleasures. But if he neglects his soul, no matter what the world may think of him, Christ calls him a fool" (Luke 12:20.) He alone is wise who knows his end is heaven and strives to attain it. True wisdom sets its value on the only things that are really worth possessing - namely, the treasures that God gives, which do not pass way with time but which last forever.
Understanding. Faith tells us that God is good and beautiful. many people believe that; but it has no influence on their lives. Understanding gives us a deep penetration into the meaning of these great teachings of our Faith; so that they become an active factor in shaping our lives. It also gives us a deeper penetration into the meaning of the words of Holy Scripture. Counsel: Sometimes we are in doubt as to the best way of acting in certain circumstances. The Holy Spirit becomes our guide by the gift of counsel. Fortitude: At other times we may know well what we should do. But we feel too weak, of ourselves, to face up to it. By the gift of fortitude the Holy Spirit becomes our strength and says: "Fear nothing, I will be with you." It is this gift that made brave unflinching martyrs of weak women and children, even when they were confronted with tortures that could make a strong man shake with fear.
Knowledge here refers to knowledge of God's creatures, in so far as it raises the mind to the Creator. A scientist may know all about the stars with their wonders; all about the earth with its plants and flowers, and remain an atheist. The man who has the gift of knowledge sees God mirrored in all his creatures. "The Heavens show forth the glory of God." (Ps. 117.) For him the flowers are reflections of God's goodness and beauty. The goodness he sees in his fellow-men too, is for him only a reflex of God's perfections. So by this precious gift of the Holy Spirit, instead of leading him away from God, all creatures bring him nearer to God.
Piety and Fear of the Lord: These two gifts supplement each other. The fear of the Lord is first of all reverential fear. It reminds us that we are creatures wholly dependent on God, and it fills us with humility and reverence in His presence. It is also fear of offending Him, and this is useful to us as a help in avoiding sin, or in turning away from sin committed: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Ps. 110.) Piety brings us near to God in love and confidence, as a child goes to a loving Father. And it reminds us if we have sinned, that He is merciful and forgiving.
Preparation: To receive it worthily we must be in state of grace, without mortal sin. The usual preparation for Confirmation is a good confession, reception of Holy Communion and fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit may bestow His gifts upon us.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit. "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Rev. W. Frean, Commentary on the Catechism.