Understanding the Sacrament of
Confirmation
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
4_WORSHIP, LITURGY AND
SACRAMENTS_MODULE 5
1
Module 5_Sacrament
of Confirmation
Introduction
Baptism, the
Eucharist, and the
sacrament of
Confirmation
together constitute
the "sacraments of
Christian initiation,"
whose unity
must be safeguarded.
The reception of the
Sacrament of
Confirmation
is necessary for
the completion of
baptismal grace.
For "by the
Sacrament of
Confirmation, the
baptized are more
perfectly bound to
the Church and are
enriched with a
special strength of
the Holy Spirit.
Hence, they are, as
true witnesses of
Christ, more strictly
obliged to spread and
defend the
faith by word and
deed."
Learning
Outcomes
At the end of the
module, the learner is
expected:
1. to know the
Sacrament of
Confirmation and its
importance
2. to appreciate and
give value to the
Sacrament of
Confirmation
3. to fulfill the
responsibilities and
duties of being a
confirmed Christian
Learning Content
Lesson 1_ What is the
Sacrament of
Confirmation?
The Sacrament of
Confirmation is the
efficient sign of grace
that confers the Holy
Spirit. It strengthens
the Baptismal grace.
Through the Holy
Spirit, we become
mature
Christians and
witnesses of Christ, in
words and deeds.
The term
Confirmation
originated from the
Latin word
“Cumfirmare,”
meaning “to
ratify,” since the
candidate approved
as adults the
Sacrament of Baptism
which they have
received when they
were still infants. In
Baptism, parents and
godparents professed
on
behalf of the children;
in Confirmation, the
children, now grown
as adults, ratify the
faith
on their own accord.
This Sacrament is
also called
“Chrismation,” in
reference to its
Matter, which is the
Holy Chrism. In
Confirmation, we are
anointed with the
Holy Spirit by the
Father in
union with Jesus. The
Hebrew word
“Messiah,” translated
into Greek as
“Christ,” means
“Anointed:” thus,
etymologically
speaking, we
Christians are the
“Anointed of God.”
Lesson 2_
Confirmation in the
Economy of Salvation
In the Old Testament
the prophets
announced that the
Spirit of the Lord
would rest on
the hoped-for Messiah
for his saving mission.
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.
He was conceived of
the Holy Spirit; his
whole life and his
whole mission are
carried out in
total communion with
the Holy Spirit whom
the Father gives him
"without measure."
This 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
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
4_WORSHIP, LITURGY AND
SACRAMENTS_MODULE 5
2
outpouring of the
Spirit, a promise which
he fulfilled first on
Easter Sunday and
then more
strikingly at Pentecost.
Filled with the Holy
Spirit the apostles
began to proclaim "the
mighty
works of God," and
Peter declared this
outpouring of the
Spirit to be the sign of
the messianic
age. Those who
believed in the
apostolic preaching
and were baptized
received the gift of the
Holy Spirit in their
turn.
"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
as the origin of the
sacrament of
Confirmation,
which in a certain way
perpetuates the grace
of Pentecost in the
Church."
Very early, the better
to signify the gift of
the Holy Spirit, an
anointing with
perfumed
oil (chrism) was
added to the
laying on of hands.
This anointing
highlights the name
"Christian," which
means "anointed" and
derives from that of
Christ himself whom
God
"anointed with the
Holy Spirit."
In the first centuries
Confirmation
generally comprised
one single
celebration with
Baptism, forming with
it a "double
sacrament." But the
multiplication of infant
baptisms all
through the year, the
increase of rural
parishes, and the
growth of dioceses
often prevented the
bishop from being
present at all
baptismal
celebrations. The
desire to reserve the
completion
of Baptism to the
bishop caused the
temporal separation of
the two sacraments.
The Eastern
Churches has kept
them united, so that
Confirmation is
conferred by the priest
who baptizes.
But he can do so only
with the "myron"
consecrated by a
bishop.
Lesson 3_Institution
and Celebration of
the Sacrament of
Confirmation
Jesus instituted the
Sacrament of
Confirmation on the
evening of Easter
Sunday,
when he appeared to
his disciples and said:
“As the Father has
sent me, so I send
you”…he
breathed on them
and said to them,
“Receive the Holy
Spirit.”
The celebration of the
Sacrament of
Confirmation
The consecration of
the sacred chrism is
an important action
that precedes the
celebration of
Confirmation, but is in
a certain way a part
of it. It is the bishop
who, in the
course of the Chrism
Mass of Holy
Thursday,
consecrates the
sacred chrism for his
whole
diocese.
When Confirmation
is celebrated
separately from
Baptism, as is the
case in the
Roman Rite, the
Liturgy of
Confirmation begins
with the renewal of
baptismal promises
and the profession of
faith by the
candidates for
Confirmation. This
clearly shows that
Confirmation follows
Baptism. When
adults are
baptized, they
immediately receive
Confirmation and
participate in the
Eucharist.
In the Roman Rite
the bishop extends
his hands over
the whole group
of the
candidates. Since the
time of the apostles
this gesture has
signified the gift of
the Spirit.
The bishop invokes
the outpouring of the
Spirit in these words:
All-powerful God, Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy
Spirit
you freed your sons and
daughters from sin and
gave them new life.
Module 5_Sacrament of Confirmation
Introduction
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation
together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity
must be safeguarded. The reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation
is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the
Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to
the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.
Hence, they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread
and defend the
faith by word and deed."
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the learner is expected:
1. to know the Sacrament of Confirmation and its importance
2. to appreciate and give value to the Sacrament of Confirmation
3. to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of being a confirmed Christian
Learning Content
Lesson 1_ What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the efficient sign of grace that confers the
Holy
Spirit. It strengthens the Baptismal grace. Through the Holy Spirit, we
become mature
Christians and witnesses of Christ, in words and deeds.
The term Confirmation originated from the Latin word “Cumfirmare,” meaning
“to
ratify,” since the candidate approved as adults the Sacrament of Baptism
which they have
received when they were still infants. In Baptism, parents and godparents
professed on
behalf of the children; in Confirmation, the children, now grown as adults,
ratify the faith
on their own accord.
This Sacrament is also called “Chrismation,” in reference to its Matter, which
is the
Holy Chrism. In Confirmation, we are anointed with the Holy Spirit by the
Father in
union with Jesus. The Hebrew word “Messiah,” translated into Greek as
“Christ,” means
“Anointed:” thus, etymologically speaking, we Christians are the “Anointed of
God.”
Lesson 2_ Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation
In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord
would rest on
the hoped-for Messiah for his saving mission. 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.
He was conceived of the Holy Spirit; his whole life and his whole mission are
carried out in
total communion with the Holy Spirit whom the Father gives him "without
measure."
This 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 which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday
and then more
strikingly at Pentecost. Filled with the Holy Spirit the apostles began to
proclaim "the mighty
works of God," and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be the sign
of the messianic
age. Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized
received the gift of the
Holy Spirit in their turn.
"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 as the origin of the sacrament of
Confirmation,
which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church."
Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with
perfumed
oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the
name
"Christian," which means "anointed" and derives from that of Christ himself
whom God
"anointed with the Holy Spirit."
In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration
with
Baptism, forming with it a "double sacrament." But the multiplication of infant
baptisms all
through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses
often prevented the
bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. The desire to reserve
the completion
of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two
sacraments. The Eastern
Churches has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the
priest who baptizes.
But he can do so only with the "myron" consecrated by a bishop.
Lesson 3_Institution and Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation
Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confirmation on the evening of Easter
Sunday,
when he appeared to his disciples and said: “As the Father has sent me, so I
send you”..
breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation
The consecration of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes
the
celebration of Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It is the bishop
who, in the
course of the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, consecrates the sacred chrism
for his whole
diocese.
When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, as is the case in
the
Roman Rite, the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal
promises
and the profession of faith by the candidates for Confirmation. This clearly
shows that
Confirmation follows Baptism. When adults are baptized, they immediately
receive
Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist.
In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the
candidates. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of
the Spirit.
The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:
All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life.
Who can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the
sacrament of
Confirmation after he reached the age of reason, generally accepted as seven
years and after
due preparation. But in danger of death children should be confirmed even if
they have not
yet attained the age of reason.
Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a
more
intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit -
his actions, his
gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic
responsibilities
of Christian life. Generally, the following are being taught to the candidates:
the four basic
pillars of our faith (creed, sacraments, commandments, and prayer); and
specifically, in the
understanding of the Holy Spirit (his manifestations and gifts) and in their
mature
participation to the life and mission of the Church.
To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive
the
sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
More intense
prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy
Spirit with docility
and readiness to act.
Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of
a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate
that this be one of
the baptismal godparents.
The Godparents at Confirmation
Each candidate for Confirmation must be accompanied by one Godfather, or
one
Godmother, or by both, preferably chosen among the ones of Baptism. Their
mission is to
present their godchildren to the Bishop during the Confirmation, and to guide
them in their
Christian life.
The godparents for Confirmation must fulfill the following requirements: 1) to
be at
least sixteen years old; 2) to be a Catholic of good standing, already
confirmed; 3) and not
the biological or adoptive parent nor spouse of the candidate.
Lesson 4_The Effects of Confirmation
1. Full outpouring of the Holy Spirit (with His Seven
Gifts)
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel (or right
judgment), Fortitude (or Strength),
Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord
2. It brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace
It roots us more deeply in divine filiation
It unites us more firmly to Christ
It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us
It renders our bond with the Church more perfect
It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and
defend the faith
by word and action as true witnesses of Christ
3. It confers a character which perfects the common priesthood of the faithful,
received in Baptism and the confirmed person receives the power to profess
faith in Christ publicly. Like baptism, Confirmation is given only once, for it
also imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark (character), which is a
sign
that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of the Holy Spirit so
that
he may be his witness.
Learning Resources
Belmonte, Charles, ed. Faith Seeking Understanding, vol 1. Mandaluyong,
Metro Manila,
Philippines: Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc., 2006.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Makati, Metro, Manila: ECCCE and Word and
Life
Publications, 1994.
Galvez, Jose Antonio and et al. Holy Heroes, Called to be Saints.. Forth as
Heroes!
(A Formation Program for the Year of the Laity). Metro Manila, Philippines:
Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), 2014.
Pirlo, Paolo. The Seven Sacraments. Paranaque City, Philippines: Sons of Holy
Mary
Immaculate Quality Catholic Publications, 2018.