CONFIRMATION
Presented by: Khyzr Garduque, Alliah Manliclic
& Cherry Win Salut - BSTM-1A
I. What is the sacrament all about?
The sacrament of confirmation is described by Vatican II in terms of its
two essential characteristics; closer union with the church and
strengthening and empowerment by the holy spirit to actively spread the
faith. Confirmation This sacrament is bestowed through the holy spirit, a
baptized person is drawn into closer union with the church and endowed
with strength to actively spread the gospel. It is conferred by “anointing
with the holy chrism on the forehead done while imposing the hands, the
gift of the spirit which brings to completion the grace of baptism.
SACRAMENT
II. The Biblical Text
John 20:22
Joshua 1:9
John 3:16
John 8: 12
BIBLICAL TEXT
III. Matter and Form
Matter - “Chrism Oil”
Form- “Be sealed with the gift of Holy Spirit”.
MATTER AND FORM
IV. Minister/s (Ordinary/ Extraordinary Ministers)
The ordinary minister is the bishop. In certain well-defined
circumstances, a priest can be the extraordinary minister of
Confirmation, by virtue, either of a faculty conceded him by
law or of a faculty granted him by the bishop.
MINISTERS
V. EFFECT/S (EFFECTS OF SACRAMENT)
The effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation
-The main effect of confirmation is to strengthen and confirm the grace of baptism.
Strengthen and confirming the mission to give public witness to Christ and church
A more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ
A closer bond with the Catholic Church
A deepening and strengthening of the grace received at Baptism, which is
considered the presence of God in the soul
An increased portion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, knowledge, right
judgment, understanding, courage, piety, and fear of the Lord
The ability to take a greater, more mature role in the Church's mission of living the
Christian faith daily and witnessing to Christ everywhere
EFFECTS
VI. Signs and symbols used and their meaning
5 symbols of the Sacrament of Confirmation
1. Laying on of hands
The laying of hands on the head has represented the conferral of the Holy Spirit from the first
generation of the Church. The ritual no longer has a laying on of hands upon each individual
confirmand, but rather the bishop, along with any concelebrating priests, extends his hands
over all those to be confirmed and offers a blessing prayer to bestow the Holy Spirit. This is a
profound gesture that is also used in other sacraments including the anointing of the sick and
ordination of a priest. This gesture is also used during the consecration of the bread and wine
at Mass so that they become the body and blood of Christ. In Confirmation, the Bishop or
Priest calls upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit to overshadow the person being confirmed.
SIGNS & SYMBOLS
2. Dove
A dove is a symbol of the sacrament of confirmation because it represents the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove when he was
baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22), and the
Holy Spirit descends upon each person who is confirmed.
3. The Sign of Peace
This Sign of Peace is used within the Confirmation ceremony as a sign of our unity
and that we are one people of God, one body of Christ. When the bishop or Priest says
‘Peace be with you’ during the Confirmation ceremony or during Mass, he is saying it
on behalf of the community to symbolize that we are all one with the Church.
SIGNS & SYMBOLS
4. White Garment
The person being confirmed usually wears a white garment to symbolize their purity.
5. Anointing with Oil
Oil is the essential element of the ritual. It is a distinctive kind of oil — sacred chrism, olive
oil lightly perfumed with balsam to give it a sweet-smelling aroma.
The oil is blessed by the bishop each year at the chrism Mass. The minister dips his right
thumb into a small bowl of sacred chrism, raises his oiled thumb, places it on the forehead of
the candidate, and with a stroke down and a stroke across, anoints the forehead in the shape
of a cross with the words, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It imparts the gift of the
Holy Spirit, seals the recipient in God’s grace, and gives a new, indelible character. The
anointing is a symbol of being called and strengthened for an important task, which is derived
from ancient times. In Confirmation, the person is being anointed to go forth in life as a
Catholic, as a disciple of Jesus, as a person of the Spirit, with confidence and strength.
SIGNS & SYMBOLS
VII. Facts or trivia about the sacrament
Facts about the Sacrament of Confirmation
1. Eastern Churches call this sacrament “Chrismation”
The chrism the bishop uses to anoint those receiving the sacrament signifies the gift of the Holy
Spirit. It emphasizes the fact that Christians are anointed and reminds those gathered of how Christ
himself was anointed with the Holy Spirit.
2. Slapping the cheek of the newly confirmed Christian
Confirmation equips Christians to be soldiers for Christ. Before the Second Vatican Council, the
bishop would slap the cheek of the newly confirmed Christian as a reminder to be courageous in the
work of evangelization. Now the newly confirmed receive a handshake as a sign of peace.
FACTS & TRIVIA
END OF PRESENTATION