What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, through which baptized Christians receive the special strength of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Christ in word and deed. The Catholic Church teaches that Confirmation is the sacrament that completes the grace of Baptism and gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live as mature Christians. Confirmation involves the laying on of hands by a bishop and the anointing with sacred chrism, accompanied by the words 'Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.' This sacrament helps us understand that we are called to be active participants in the life of the Church and to bear witness to Christ in the world. It is about recognizing that the Holy Spirit is given to us to strengthen our faith, to help us overcome temptation, and to enable us to live as faithful disciples of Christ.
The Bible provides the foundation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles where we see the early Church laying hands on baptized believers to give them the Holy Spirit. Scripture shows us that the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles at Pentecost, and that this same Spirit is given to all believers to empower them for mission and witness. The Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit gives us various gifts and fruits that help us to live as faithful Christians and to serve others with love and compassion.
Why Confirmation Matters
Confirmation matters for several crucial reasons. First, it completes the grace of Baptism and gives us the full strength of the Holy Spirit to live as mature Christians. When we receive Confirmation, we're not just going through a ritual - we're receiving the same Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles and early Christians to spread the Gospel. Second, Confirmation helps us to become more active participants in the life of the Church, recognizing that we have a responsibility to contribute to the mission of the Church and to serve others. This sacrament helps us understand that our faith is not just a private matter, but something that should be lived out in community and shared with others.
Third, Confirmation gives us the courage and strength we need to be witnesses to Christ in the world, even when it's difficult or unpopular. The Holy Spirit helps us to speak the truth with love, to stand up for what is right, and to be faithful to our Christian values in all circumstances. Fourth, Confirmation helps us to develop the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - which are essential for living a Christian life. Most importantly, Confirmation helps us to understand that we are not alone in our journey of faith, but that the Holy Spirit is always with us, guiding, strengthening, and empowering us.
Preparation for Confirmation
Preparation for Confirmation involves both spiritual and intellectual formation that helps candidates understand the meaning and importance of this sacrament. Spiritual preparation includes deepening one's prayer life, participating regularly in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and developing a personal relationship with God. This preparation helps candidates to be open to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to understand that Confirmation is not just a rite of passage, but a serious commitment to living as a mature Christian.
Intellectual preparation involves learning about the Catholic faith, particularly the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and in the life of individual believers. This includes studying the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, understanding the mission of the Church, and learning about the saints who have been powerful witnesses to Christ. Preparation also involves choosing a sponsor who can provide guidance and support, and selecting a confirmation name that reflects a saint or virtue that the candidate wishes to emulate. Most importantly, preparation involves developing a sincere desire to receive the Holy Spirit and to use the gifts given in Confirmation to serve God and others.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Sacrament of Confirmation gives us the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are special graces that help us to live as faithful Christians. These gifts include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Wisdom helps us to see things from God's perspective and to make good decisions based on divine truth. Understanding helps us to grasp the meaning of our faith and to appreciate the mysteries of God. Counsel helps us to give good advice to others and to make wise choices in difficult situations. Fortitude gives us the courage to stand up for what is right and to persevere in the face of difficulties.
Knowledge helps us to know God and to understand His will for our lives. Piety helps us to have a deep love for God and to express this love through prayer and worship. Fear of the Lord helps us to have a proper respect for God and to avoid sin out of love for Him. These gifts are not given to us for our own benefit alone, but to help us serve others and to build up the Church. When we use these gifts properly, we become more effective witnesses to Christ and more loving servants of others.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Along with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Confirmation also helps us to develop the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are the visible signs that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. These fruits include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Love is the greatest of these fruits and involves putting others before ourselves and serving them with genuine care and concern. Joy is the deep happiness that comes from knowing God and living in relationship with Him, regardless of our circumstances. Peace is the inner tranquility that comes from trusting in God's love and providence.
Patience helps us to endure difficulties and to be understanding with others. Kindness involves being gentle and considerate in our interactions with others. Goodness means being morally upright and doing what is right. Faithfulness involves being loyal to God and to others, keeping our promises and commitments. Gentleness means being mild and tender in our approach to others. Self-control helps us to master our passions and to make good choices. These fruits are not developed overnight, but grow gradually as we cooperate with the grace of the Holy Spirit and strive to live as faithful disciples of Christ.
Living as a Confirmed Catholic
Living as a confirmed Catholic involves using the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to be an active witness to Christ in the world. This means being willing to share our faith with others, not necessarily through preaching, but through our words and actions that reflect the love and truth of Christ. It means being involved in the life of the parish, participating in ministries and activities that serve others and build up the community. It means being willing to stand up for what is right, even when it's difficult or unpopular, and to be a voice for justice and peace in our communities.
Living as a confirmed Catholic also means continuing to grow in our faith through prayer, study, and participation in the sacraments. It means being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and being willing to follow where He leads us. It means developing a deep love for the Church and a commitment to her mission of spreading the Gospel and serving those in need. Most importantly, living as a confirmed Catholic means recognizing that we are called to be saints, to strive for holiness in our daily lives, and to help others to do the same.
The Role of the Bishop
In the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Confirmation is normally administered by a bishop, who represents the fullness of the priesthood and the unity of the Church. The bishop's role in Confirmation emphasizes the connection between the local Church and the universal Church, and helps us to understand that we are part of something much larger than our individual parish or community. When the bishop lays hands on us and anoints us with chrism, we are being connected to the apostolic tradition and to the mission of the Church that has been passed down from the apostles.
The bishop's presence at Confirmation also emphasizes the importance of this sacrament and helps us to understand that it is a significant moment in our spiritual journey. The bishop's prayer and blessing help to create a sacred atmosphere and to remind us that we are receiving a special grace from God. Most importantly, the bishop's role helps us to understand that Confirmation is not just a personal or private experience, but a communal celebration that involves the entire Church and connects us to the mission of spreading the Gospel to all nations.
The Transformative Power of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation has the power to transform our lives by giving us the strength and courage we need to live as faithful disciples of Christ. When we receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, we are empowered to overcome the challenges and temptations that we face in our daily lives. We are given the wisdom to make good decisions, the courage to stand up for what is right, and the love to serve others with genuine care and concern. This transformation is not always immediate or dramatic, but it is real and lasting.
Confirmation also transforms our relationship with the Church and with the world. We become more active participants in the life of the Church, recognizing that we have a responsibility to contribute to her mission and to serve others. We become more aware of the needs of the world and more willing to work for justice and peace. We develop a deeper appreciation for the sacraments and for the ways in which God works in our lives through the Church. Most importantly, Confirmation helps us to understand that we are called to be witnesses to Christ in everything we do, and that our lives should reflect the love and truth of the Gospel.