SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Origin of the Sacrament
In the third and fourth centuries, the peoples concern to preserve the integrity of the Gospel
paved the way for the celebration of the sacraments of initiation.
When the Christian persecutions ended, the practice of having one celebration of the
sacraments of initiation also changed. These two circumstances caused the practice of
anointing the catechumen with chrism be separated with the sacrament of Baptism:
In the East, the single celebration was preserved where priests baptized, confirmed and
admitted the Christians into the Eucharist.
On the other hand, in the West, priests baptized the infants, but bishops were given the
prerogative to confirm.
Later on, it has become the practice to delay the reception of Confirmation and the Eucharist
until the person reached the age of discretion age when children were capable of renewing
the baptismal promises. This factor plus the unavailability of bishops to perform the
sacrament led to the practice of Confirmation at different ages over time.
In 1910, Pope Pius X reversed the order of sacrament of initiation by lowering the age for the
reception of the first Eucharist. Vatican II introduced, mandated and revised the Rite of
Christian Initiation issued by Pope Paul VI to acknowledge that Confirmation be practiced in
two different circumstances.
Today, the sacrament is celebrated within the Mass by the Bishop. Confirmation may be
conferred on those who have received the sacrament of Baptism and who have not been
confirmed and preferably that he or she is in the state of grace.
The ordinary minister of the Sacrament is the Bishop while priests are its extraordinary
ministers. He anoints the confirmand with chrism mixture of olive oil and balsam. The
reception of the sacrament is obligatory because it allows one to become true witnesses of
faith through the Holy Spirit.
Teaching of the Church about the Sacrament
Church tradition teaches us that the Holy Spirit strengthens us for lifes journey through
seven important gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and
fear of the Lord.
The reception of the gifts implies a challenge to take a stand for everything that is
morally upright, Gods Commandments, and to advocate justice, peace, honesty and
reverence.
The Church teaches that the sacrament of Confirmation is a sacrament of Christian
witness.
Christian Challenge
Challenges of the sacrament:
Parents and godparents are tasked with great responsibility in nurturing the
children in the faith by constantly teaching them about God and most importantly, by
giving these children a good example of their own lives.
Live the values, attitudes and beliefs of the Church and of Jesus Himself.
Our pledge in confirmation is to continue the life of discipleship.
It is a lifelong journey to follow the example of Jesus and it entails a deep commitment
nurtured by constant prayers and reception of the sacraments.
Confirmation is the grace received in confirmation our love for God and Church, which we
professed. The confirmed Catholic is called to a life of Christian responsibility.