Confirmation

The first sacrament encountered by those who choose to have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus is baptism. This sacrament is called baptism after the central rite by which it is carries out. The word baptize originates in Greek, pronounced baptizein, and means to "plunge" or "immerse". Water is the element used to Baptize because it brings transformation and life. Since the beginning of the world, water has been the source of life and fruitfulness and it finds fulfillment in Baptism.

The Baptism rite, or ceremony, is rich in Church tradition and symbolism. The plunge into water is meant to signify the catechumen's (those in preparation for Baptism) burial into Christ's death, from which he then rises up by resurrection with Him as a "new creature". The white garment worn by the baptized symbolizes purity and that the baptized has "put on Christ" and has risen with Christ. The baptismal Candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the converted. In Him the baptized are "the light of the world" (Mt 5:14, Phil 2:15) and should go forth into the world as such.

Adults, children, and infants may be baptized. Since the beginning of the Church, adult Baptism is a common practice where the proclamation of the Gospel is still new. The adult catechumenate occupies an important place both within the Church and the community. This initiation into Christian faith and life should dispose the catechumen to receive the gift of God in the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church...it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the church.

Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom and baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life. The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith" ,his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God-the consummation of faith-and in the hope of resurrection (Eph 4:30,; 2 Cor 1:21-22).

In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped-for Messiah for his saving mission (Isa 11:2, 61:1; Lk 4: 16-22). The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism by John was the sign that this was He who was to come, the Messiah, the Son of God (Mt 3:13-17; Jn 1:33-34). The fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah's, but was to be communicated to the whole messianic people. On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit, a promise he fulfilled on Easter Sunday and more strikingly at Pentecost (Jn 20:22; Acts 2:1-4).

From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in The Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition a the origin of the Sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost (Acts 8:15-17; 19:5-6; Heb 6:2)...In the west, the term Confirmation suggests that this sacrament both confirms baptism and strengthens baptismal grace.

The rite of Confirmation contains the anointing a spiritual seal with sacred chrism, the laying of hands, and the priest's solemn words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit" . In biblical and other ancient symbolism, oil was a sign of healing and soothing; it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength Isa 1:6; Lk 10:34). The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation is a sign of consecration. By Confirmation, anointed Christians share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 2:15). By this anointing, the confirmed received the "mark", the seal of the Holy Spirit. This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever (Rev 7:2-3,9:4; Ezek 9:4-6) . Confirmation has for an effect a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Like Baptism, Confirmation is give only once. It too imprints an indelible spiritual mark, which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the Seal of his Spirit to clothe him with power… (Lk 24: 48-49).

Latin custom indicates "the age of discretion" as the reference point for receiving Confirmation, but in danger of death children should be confirmed even if they have not attained the age of discretion.

Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more familiarity with the Holy Spirit. To this end, catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church, as well as the parish community. Candidates for Confirmation fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor.

The reception of confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit".

(Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 1285-1321)

For More Information Please Contact the Parish Office at 636-629-0315.