Catechumenate Topic: Confirmation

Catechumenate Topic: Confirmation

The Old Testament foretold the coming of God’s anointed one, who will be anointed with spirit of God. This is the messiah, the Christ. Jesus is anointed with Spirit after His Baptism.

The Holy Spirit is not just for Christ but he sends it to all of his people. At Pentecost the first Christians are anointed with the Holy Spirit.

For the Apostles, Christian initiation meant being Baptized in the name of Trinity, and then being prayed over with the laying on of hands. The laying on the hands was the giving of the Holy Spirit. Later an anointing with oil was added to further symbolize the anointing received with the laying on of hands. Baptism and Confirmation constituted and two fold dual sacrament. It was traditionally performed by the Bishop. In the West (Roam Rite) the demands of large dioceses let to the separation of the two, with the Bishop performing Confirmation. The East, and in the West for adult converts, the two are still given together.

Anointing cleanses, and strengthens us. It is also a symbol of abundance and joy. It seals and protects, and heals. So being anointed with the Holy Spirit does also these things, but in a spiritual manner.

The anointing is done with the Sacred Chrism which is blessed by the Bishop of the diocese every Holy Thursday.

The effects of the Confirmation are:
We are more rooted and grounded as a child of God, and more able to turn to him as loving father.
We are more deeply united with Christ, the Anointed One.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are perfected in us and made more abundant in our lives.
Our bond with the Church is made more perfect.
We are given special strength to be a witness to the Christian faith, and to give witness to the Cross, and never be ashamed of it.

Confirmation is given only once, the work of confirmation is accomplished not by us, but by God. Every baptized Christian who has not yet received confirmation should receive it. It requires a mature faith, but remembers that mature faith does not require a mature age. One must be in a state of grace, and should receive the sacrament of reconciliation beforehand if of the age of reason.

The gifts of the spirit are:
Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
Counsel
Fortitude
Piety
Fear of Lord

Fruits of the Holy Spirit are:
Charity
Joy
Peace
Goodness
Generosity
Gentleness
Faithfulness


Fruits and what happen when we cooperate with the gifts and virtues the holy spirit is giving us in our life.

Virtues and habits of grace filled behavior.

The Intellectual Virtues are:
Art
Prudence

The Moral Virtues are:
Justice
Temperance
Fortitude

The Theological Virtues are:
Faith
Hope
Charity or Love