The sacrament of Confirmation completes the baptismal grace by
more perfectly binding the baptized person to the Church and
strengthening him or her with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Slide 4
ACTS 2: 1-12 Imagine you are sitting in a room on Pentecost
morning. You are sitting with Mary and the apostles. Suddenly, you
hear a noise like a train coming. Its wind roaring throughout the
whole house and shaking it. Flames appear in the room. You gasp.
The tongues of fire separate and settle, one over each persons
head. Everyone starts speaking in different languages. The Holy
Spirit has come and filled the Church.
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CONFIRMATION The same Holy Spirit who came down upon Mary and
the apostles comes to us in the sacrament of Confirmation. It is
not as dramatic as it was on Pentecost instead of wind and fire,
the Holy Spirit now comes in the signs of laying hands, anointing
with oil, and the words, Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy
Spirit. We already receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism. In
Confirmation, the Holy Spirit comes to confirm and strengthen what
Baptism did for us.
Slide 6
MORE GRACE, MORE RESPONSIBILITY In Confirmation we are more
closely bound to the Church and receive greater strength to live as
Christians. The other side of the coin is that we bear more
responsibility for being a witness to Christ. Empowered by the Holy
Spirit, the apostles no longer hid in fear, but burst forth from
the room to preach about Jesus. After Confirmation we too have an
obligation to spread and defend the faith by word and action.
Slide 7
DID YOU KNOW? Bishops consecrate chrism and the other holy oils
for their dioceses at a Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday. There are
three holy oils: Holy Chrism, Oil of the Catechumens, and Oil of
the Sick. They are kept in a special place in the church called an
ambry.
Slide 8
BACKGROUND OF CONFIRMATION Jesus was filled with the Holy
Spirit, and he promised this Holy Spirit to his Church. After
Pentecost, the apostles in turn passed this special gift of the
Holy Spirit to the baptized through the laying of hands. This act
was soon combined with the anointing with chrism, a fragrant oil.
This sign is related to Christ, who was anointed by the Holy
Spirit. Once we are anointed with oil, we are consecrated to share
more in the mission of Christ. Oil is a great symbol for
Confirmation. It is a sign of abundance and joy. Moreover, oil is
used to cleanse and heal, soothe and strengthen, and the make
beautiful.
Slide 9
WHO RECEIVES CONFIRMATION? All people who are baptized can and
should receive Confirmation. We prepare by studying the faith more
and by praying more intensely. We learn about Jesus, the Holy
Spirit, and what it means to belong to the Church as a whole and as
a parish. This preparation makes us better able to carry out our
responsibilities as Christians. To be confirmed, people must be in
the state of grace. For this reason, candidates prepare for this
sacrament by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation in which
sins are forgiven.
Slide 10
THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION Except when Confirmation occurs right
after Baptism, it begins with a renewal of baptismal promises and a
profession of faith. Then the bishop extends his hands over the
group to be confirmed and prays. He asks the Father to send the
Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. He asks that
they be given SEVEN GIFTS of the Holy Spirit. Then the Bishop
confers the sacrament by anointing each person with chrism on the
forehead (the laying of hands). He says, Be sealed with the Gift of
the Holy Spirit. The Rite ends with the sign of peace.
Slide 11
THE MARK OF CONFIRMATION A seal makes a document official. Long
ago soldiers were marked with their leaders seal. The anointing
with chrism marks us with the seal of the Holy Spirit. In means we
belong to Christ and share his mission. Like Baptism, Confirmation
gives us an indelible spiritual mark, or character. It can only be
received ONCE.
Slide 12
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Wisdom I know Gods plan, put God
first, and see things from his point of view.
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Understanding I have insight into what God revealed.
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Counsel I seek and am open to good advice. I possess right
judgement.
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Fortitude I have strength and courage to do what is right even
when its difficult.
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Knowledge I know God and what he expects of me.
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Piety I love and worship God and respect all that God
created.
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Fear of the Lord Wonder and Awe I respond to Gods holiness with
wonder, humility, and holy respect that keeps me from sinning.
Slide 19
SCRIPTURE LINK The Creating Spirit The Bible opens with the
story of creation. When there was nothing but darkness, a mighty
wind swept over the waters and God said, Let there be light. The
Hebrew word for wind also means spirit. At the dawn of creation, we
see the power of God bringing forth the universe and life. Today we
celebrate the creation of new life in Baptism and Confirmation.
When we receive these sacraments, the Holy Spirit comes and fills
us with divine life. Genesis 1:1-3
Slide 20
FROM MY HEART Which of the seven gifts do you especially need?
Ask the Holy Spirit to increase that gift in you.
