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Confirmation
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
The Sacrament of Confirmation is a reaffirmation of one’s Baptismal promises to live as an authentic believing member of the Catholic Church.
- Through the administration of this Sacrament we are filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to make us holy and sanctify every one around.
- As a believing member of the 'Body of Christ' one is reminded of how much God cares for us, and not just us, but also others. That God has a dream for each of us!
- That God has a plan for each of us. That God has given us talents and abilities to empower us for a noble task.
- That we are a People "called" to do His Will. That each of us is called to participate in His plan in a unique fashion with the talents and abilitites invested in us so that we can truly be His People and He, our God.
- It increases in us an awareness that God Calls us with a vocation: This call comes in different forms: to be a Priest, diocesan or religious, a religious brother or sister or for married life or a single life.
- The Sacrament challenges us to discover God's plan for us. It also helps us to discern the type of profession we may be called to embrace in life: to be a doctor or a nurse or medical personnel, a judge, a lawyer, an artist, a musician, an engineer, an accountant, an administrator, a manager, a cook, a teacher, a painter, a journalist, etc., all these are inumerable vocations we are called to answer whole heartedly in order to serve faithfully.
- With each of these vocations to which we are called, we are reminded that God and His Holy Spirit will not abandon us however difficult a task may appear to be. We have heard it said: "Fear knocked at the door: Faith answered the door, and there was no one there!"
- Amazingly, one can say: To the extent that we give our 100% in fidelity, to that measure, God's Holy Spirit will sanctify the people we are called and sent to serve, who depend on us, who are associated with His mission, and to that extent and measure, we will grow in holiness.
- As long as we are constantly aware of God's Holy Spirit and His subtle working in us, we are reminded that "we are chosen and called and sent" to be more and more authentic disciples of Jesus Christ and grow each day in ways to be more pleasing to God, our Father.
What place does Confirmation have in the divine plan of salvation?
In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the awaited Messiah and on the entire messianic people. The whole life and mission of Jesus were carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit. The Apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and proclaimed “ the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). They gave the gift of the same Spirit to the newly baptized by laying on of hands. Down through the centuries, the Church has continued to live by the Spirit to impart him to her children.
Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church # 265
Confirmation strengthens the commitment to Christ made at Baptism. It enables a person to maturely face challenges in daily life as a Christian. It gives courage and strength to witness Christ and His Church in the world and to selflessly serve one’s fellow human beings.
Why is this sacrament called Chrismation or Confirmation?
It is called Chrismation (in the Eastern Churches: Anointing with holy myron or chrism) because the essential rite of the sacrament is anointing with chrism. It is called Confirmation because it confirms and strengthens baptismal grace.
Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church # 266
What is the essential rite of Confirmation?
The essential rite of Confirmation is the anointing with Sacred Chrism (oil mixed with balsam and consecrated by the bishop), which is done by the laying on of the hand of the minister who pronounces the sacramental words proper to the rite. In the West this anointing is done on the forehead of the baptized with the words,” Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
In the Eastern Churches of the Byzantine rite this anointing is also done on other parts of the body with the words” The seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church # 267
What is the effect of Confirmation?
The effect of Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost. This outpouring impresses on the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism. It roots the recipient more deeply in divine Son-ship, binds him more firmly to Christ and to the Church and Reinvigorates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in his soul. It gives a special strength to witness to the Christian faith.
Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church # 268
The Sacrament of Confirmation bestows a character on the confirmand with bountiful myriads of gifts of the Holy Spirit namely:
Wisdom: for reflection and insight to discover God’s Will in all He calls us to do and to be.
Understanding: In order to listen and care for each other as Jesus cared for those around Him.
Right Judgment: So that we may grow in being risk-takers and discerners of truth,
with a deep sense of justice.
Courage: to accept the challenge to be different and prophetic in our world, while rooted and grounded in His Word.
Knowledge: So that we may know ourselves and the deep love God has for us.
Reverence: to accept as holy the beauty and dignity of each human person and all of God’s creation,
Wonder and Awe: In order to experience God’s miracles in our daily lives.
Who can receive the sacrament?
Only those already baptized can and should receive this sacrament which can be received only once. To receive Confirmation efficaciously the candidate must be in the state of grace.
Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church # 269
Who is the minister of Confirmation?
The original minister of Confirmation is the bishop. In this way the link between the confirmed and the Church in her apostolic dimension is made manifest. When a priest confers this sacrament, as ordinarily happens in the East and in special cases in the West, the link with the bishop and with the Church are expressed by the priest who is the collaborator of the bishop and by the Sacred Chrism, consecrated by the bishop himself.
Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church # 270
Confirmation for Young men and women
For School going age:
Contact person: Director of Religious Education Program (650-871-8944 Ext. 401). Please check for more information on this web site under the Menu or check out Religious Education.
Those enrolled in All Souls Catholic School and registered for the Confirmation program, please visit All Souls School, or you may please contact the Principal and school office or coordinator of the program (650-871-8944 Ext. 302)
For adults: Contact the office of the Pastor at 650-871-8944 or contact via e-mail(RCIA@Allsoulschurchssf.org) and for more information check R.C.I.A. on this website's main menu.
