Sacrament of Confirmation

Theology of the Sacrament of Confirmation

Biblical Foundation

Acts 8:14-17; 19:6 - believers receive the Spirit, esp. through laying on of the apostle's hands John 20:22 - "(Jesus) breathed on them (the disciples) and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit Acts 2:14 The day of the Pentecost Acts 10:44-48 - the coming of the Spirit is closely associated with the Baptism of new believers

Brief History

Originally a part of the Baptismal Rite Became a separate sacrament as the Church grew in size

Meaning

Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the Sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. (CCC 1316) 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.

WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT?

Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.123 Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that "the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time,"124 for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete. Although Confirmation is sometimes called the "sacrament of Christian maturity," we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need "ratification" to become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of this:

Age of body does not determine age of soul. Even in childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book of Wisdom says: "For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years. "Many children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood.126

MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION

The original minister of Confirmation is the bishop. If a Christian is in danger of death, any priest can give him Confirmation.134 Indeed the Church desires that none of her children, even the youngest, should depart this world without having been perfected by the Holy Spirit with the gift of Christ's fullness.

Qualities of Christian Witness

To be effective witnesses to Christ and the Church demands certain basic qualities:

personal knowledge, awareness, and experience of Christ in their daily lives; strong and enthusiastic Christian convictions and active commitment to Christ and the Church; a basic grounding in Scripture, Church teaching and fundamental human experience; the human leadership qualities of honesty and integrity that inspire confidence and a following; the communication skills needed to present Christs challenge to the Filipino of today in an attractive and persuasive manner; and the courage to suffer and risk for the Kingdom of God.

Effects of Confirmation The main effect of Confirmation is to strengthen and confirm the grace of Baptism (cf. CCC1302-3). This means a more intense sharing in the mission of Christ and of the Church, empowering the confirmed to be public witnesses of the Faith:

witness to the Kingdom of God and Gods power present in the new age begun in Christ; witness to Jesus the Christ, as the unique Savior of all; witness to the freedom from the slavery of sin brought by Gods presence through Christ and the Spirit; witness to the love of God, Father, Risen Incarnate Son, and Spirit, by loving service of others in the Spirit; and witness to Christs real presence in the Christian community, the People of God, the Church.

Rites of the Sacrament of Confirmation

The consecration of the sacred chrism The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, "the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: 'Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti' [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.]."

Rites

Sample

Synthesis

Conclusion

While as a sacrament of initiation, Confirmation should be linked with Baptism as the completion of initiation into the Church nevertheless Confirmation also marks a new stage in the confirmeds Christian life. The change is basically from being passively served to active service of others in the Church, from first initiation into the Church to public declaration of full discipleship in the Churchs ministry. The time for the celebration of this change is not primarily a matter of chronological age (chronos), but rather of the appropriate moment (Kairos) for marking this change. This appropriate moment ordinarily does not come spontaneously, but has to be prepared for, over a certain period of time.