Confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we receive Confirmation?
Confirmation strengthens us to continue growing in knowledge and friendship with Jesus and to LIVE out our faith with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Check out the story of when the disciples first received the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
Confirmation is the Perfection of Baptism:
The Catholic Church considers Confirmation the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism being the first and Communion the third). Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states:
“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 obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”
What Happens During the Sacrament of Confirmation:
As you approach the Bishop, your sponsor will be standing behind you. He will lay his hands over your head, which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit. Next--the essential element--he will anoint you with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a bishop), accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." This seal is a consecration, representing the safeguarding by the Holy Spirit of the graces conferred on the Christian at Baptism. The ceremony lasts about 2 hours. It includes the liturgy of the Word (just like at Mass), then the rite of Confirmation (where each person stands in front of the Bishop), and concludes with the liturgy of the Eucharist (just like at Mass).
What do I need to be eligible for Confirmation:
All those who have been baptized are eligible to be confirmed, and, while the Church suggests receiving the sacrament after reaching the "age of reason" (around seven years old), it can be received at any time. You must be in a state of grace; that means you should participate in the Sacrament of Confession before Confirmation.
The Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation:
The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism. The Sacrament can not be “undone.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
* it roots us more deeply in a personal connection and relationship with God;
* it unites us more firmly to Christ;
* it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; knowledge, understanding, wisdom, right judgement, counsel, piety, and wonder & awe.
* it strengthens our bond with the Church;
* it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
Because Confirmation perfects our baptism, we are obliged to receive it "in due time." Any teen who does not feel ready to receive this Sacrament during JHYM is invited to continue preparing for it in high school. Contact Matthew Krumdrick if you would like to talk about this option 630-730-1368.
How do I “get” the graces of Confirmation:
The Holy Spirit will fill you with gifts and graces to the degree that you open your heart to Him. He can only be as generous as you are willing to receive. The more you pray and open your heart and offer your life to God, the more you will feel the gift of His presence and presents!
Confirmation strengthens us to continue growing in knowledge and friendship with Jesus and to LIVE out our faith with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Check out the story of when the disciples first received the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
Confirmation is the Perfection of Baptism:
The Catholic Church considers Confirmation the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism being the first and Communion the third). Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states:
“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 obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”
What Happens During the Sacrament of Confirmation:
As you approach the Bishop, your sponsor will be standing behind you. He will lay his hands over your head, which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit. Next--the essential element--he will anoint you with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a bishop), accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." This seal is a consecration, representing the safeguarding by the Holy Spirit of the graces conferred on the Christian at Baptism. The ceremony lasts about 2 hours. It includes the liturgy of the Word (just like at Mass), then the rite of Confirmation (where each person stands in front of the Bishop), and concludes with the liturgy of the Eucharist (just like at Mass).
What do I need to be eligible for Confirmation:
All those who have been baptized are eligible to be confirmed, and, while the Church suggests receiving the sacrament after reaching the "age of reason" (around seven years old), it can be received at any time. You must be in a state of grace; that means you should participate in the Sacrament of Confession before Confirmation.
The Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation:
The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism. The Sacrament can not be “undone.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
* it roots us more deeply in a personal connection and relationship with God;
* it unites us more firmly to Christ;
* it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; knowledge, understanding, wisdom, right judgement, counsel, piety, and wonder & awe.
* it strengthens our bond with the Church;
* it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
Because Confirmation perfects our baptism, we are obliged to receive it "in due time." Any teen who does not feel ready to receive this Sacrament during JHYM is invited to continue preparing for it in high school. Contact Matthew Krumdrick if you would like to talk about this option 630-730-1368.
How do I “get” the graces of Confirmation:
The Holy Spirit will fill you with gifts and graces to the degree that you open your heart to Him. He can only be as generous as you are willing to receive. The more you pray and open your heart and offer your life to God, the more you will feel the gift of His presence and presents!
