SACRAMENTS - quiz (CONFIRMATION)

what happens in confirmation?

In Confirmation, we are infused with the Holy Spirit (received at Baptism) and then we can share more fully in the life of the Trinity by responding to the gifts that are strengthened and enriched by Confirmation

what does it mean to be conformed to christ?

means strengthened to:

• Act with moral integrity, virtue and holiness

• Lead others by example of virtue and holiness

• Say yes to God's will; allowing the gifts He has given us to grow and flourish

• Use gifts and talents to honor and serve God

• Perfect our mission as priest, prophet, king (anointed in Baptism)

confirmation recalls and completes baptism. list the steps that encourage us to celebrate that connection.

• these steps encourage us to celebrate that connection:

  • Encouraged to use baptismal name or name of canonized saint

  • Encourages baptismal godparents to be sponsors

• The connection in the Rite is directly expressed by this element:

  • Includes a public renewal of baptismal promises/vows and profession of faith

describe the order of the rite of confirmation

• Presentation of the Candidates

• Homily

• Renewal of Baptismal Promises

• Invocation of the Outpouring of the Spirit

• Laying on of Hands and Anointing with Sacred Chrism:

Bishop: “N, Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

Confirmed:  “Amen” 

Bishop: “Peace be with you.”

Confirmed: “And with your spirit.”

• General intersessions (prayers for the newly confirmed, their sponsors and families and the Church so that they may be open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit)

specifically, what is the rite of confirmation?

• Laying on of the hands: “Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:17) 

• Anointing with sacred chrism: “Through the oil we are conformed, in the power of the Spirit, to Jesus Christ, who is the only true ‘anointed one,’ the ‘Holy One of God’”  (Pope Francis—General Audience, January 29, 2014). 

• Spoken words: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

what is sacred chrism?

• Oil is a sign of abundance and

  healing. 

• Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (a fragrant perfume—sometimes referred to as “the balm of Gilead”—used in healing and preservation from corruption).

• The balsam symbolizes the sweet “odor” of Christianity, found in virtuous living and imitation of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:15). 

• Those who are anointed with sacred chrism have a new identity—that of Christians, who share in Christ’s mission and have the special duty of proclaiming his Gospel to the world.

what is chrism mass?

An annual Mass, celebrated in a diocesan cathedral on or near Holy Thursday, in which the bishop consecrates the sacred chrism and other oils that will be used in the diocese throughout the year. 

what are the requirements for confirmation?

• BAPTIZED!

• Age of reason - capable of moral reasoning (generally older than 7 in the West;) left to decision of local bishop

• State of grace (received Penance and Reconciliation unless also in conjunction with Baptism as with RCIA catechumen)

• Profess faith and commitment to live as disciple of Jesus (recall questions at Baptism - What do you ask of God's Church?)

• Adequate preparation in instruction, participation in the Church and prayer

describe the requirements of a confirmation sponsor

To be qualified to be a Confirmation sponsor, a person must have received all three Sacraments of Christian Initiation, be at least sixteen years old, and lead “a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken” (Code of Canon Law 874; see CCC 1311). 

who is the minister of confirmation?

• Bishop – apostolic authority

•  Priest/pastor or assistant to bishop (must be a priest) with permission of the bishop

what is the necessity of confirmation?

• Not necessary for salvation in the way that Baptism is necessary

• Confirmation is necessary to complete initiation into the life of Christ and the Body of Christ

• In order to fully participate in the Body of Christ

  • serve as godparent/sponsor

  • be married in the Church

  • receive Holy Orders

  • serve in other ministries in the Church like Eucharistic Minister

describe the differences of confirmation between the east and west church

• EAST CHURCH

  • Sacraments of Initiation remain united.

  • Baptism and Confirmation are both conferred by the priest using the sacred oils blessed by the bishop.

  • Baptism is immediately followed by Confirmation and Eucharist (even for infants).

• WEST CHURCH

  • Separate celebrations of Baptism and Confirmation.

  • There is an explicit connection between Confirmation and the bishop. The bishop is present for Confirmation.

  • Baptism is celebrated with the ordinary minister. With infant baptism;  Confirmation is delayed until the age of reason is reached and until the bishop is present .

compare and contrast apostolic authority between the two differing churches

• WEST

  • celebrated by the bishop who traces his authority back to the Apostles (laying on of hands - apostolic succession)

• BOTH

  • use of sacred chrism connects to apostolic unity

  • the sacred chrism is consecrated by the bishop at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week each year; 

  • the chrism conveys the authority and approval of the bishop

describe the 7 gifts of the holy spirit

1. Wisdom-to know what’s truly important

2. Understanding- to know why it’s important

3. Counsel or Right Judgment: to judge between right and wrong and to choose what is right

4. Fortitude: to persist in doing the right thing with courage, no matter what

5. Knowledge: to know God and God’s plan of salvation

6. Piety or Reverence: to know that the God who created the universe deserves love and praise

7. Fear of the Lord: Having the right perspective of God’s almighty power and love, and our place in creation.