The Gift of Confirmation

Frequently thought of as the 3rd of the Christian Sacraments of Initiation, (in the Roman Rite of the Church), it must be made known to all the faithful that the reception 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 obligated to Spread and Defend the Faith by word and deed.” - Lumen Gentium 11

The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Known as:

• Wisdom

• Understanding

• Counsel

• Knowledge

• Piety

• Fortitude

• Fear (Awe) of the Lord

With the approach on Pentecost, it is timely for all those confirmed, or soon to be confirmed, in the Faith to take a moment to meditate on the meaning and origin of the Laying on of Hands and Anointing with Chrism.

Have we embraced the transformation that the Gifts of the Spirit that have be bestowed on us?

Where it Began:

Numerous times in the Gospels we read that Christ Himself promised the foretold outpouring of the Spirit, from the Old Testament, to His disciples, a promise that was fulfilled on that first Easter and then maybe more strikingly on Pentecost.

We know that from that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ’s will, imparted to newly baptized Christians by the Laying on of Hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the sacramental grace of Baptism. This Laying on of hands is recognized by Catholic tradition as the origin of Confirmation. Thus the Church continues the grace of Pentecost.

Very early in the Church’s history, to better signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, in anointing with the perfumed oil (chrism), as well as the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name “Christian,” which means “anointed.”

Spiritual Seal:

Anointing in oil in Biblical and other ancient symbolism is rich in meaning.

It is:

• A sign of Abundance and Joy

• Healing and Soothing

• To make Radiant with beauty and strength

• And more.

In the sacrament of Confirmation all of these symbolic characteristics are employed. With this laying on of hands and anointing we are “marked” with the Seal of the Holy Spirit with which we are filled, and so we may “Give off ‘the aroma of Christ.' "

This Seal is a symbol of a person – a sign of personal authority – and so we become Christ’s by our own free will.

“It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; He has put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” – 2 Cor 1:21-22 Eph 1:13

Just as soldiers were once marked with their leader’s seal – so we become Christ’s when we are sealed in Confirmation.

The effect of the sacrament reinvigorates the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in our souls and gives us a special strength to bear witness to our Christian Faith.

You become a spiritual soldier of Christ!

The Confirmation confers supernatural, spiritual strength, that qualifies the recipient for the duty of honoring God by professing the Christian faith before its enemies.

By accepting this Sacramental Grace and living a life of Sanctifying or Habitual Grace, (which makes us holy over time), you are given the gifts to bear witness to Christ and are tasked with Spreading and Defending the Faith.

Take a Quiz!

What do you know about the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Watch the Video about "Confirmation" by Catholic Central

O God, Come to My Assistance; O Lord Make Haste to Help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.