SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?
WHAT HAPPENS AT CONFIRMATION?
WHAT HAPPENS AT CONFIRMATION?
It is the second sacrament of Christian initiation. During the sacrament, we receive the Holy Spirit - with all the Spirits gifts and fruits - so as to become strong Christians and courageous witnesses of the faith.
WHAT HAPPENS AT CONFIRMATION?
WHAT HAPPENS AT CONFIRMATION?
WHAT HAPPENS AT CONFIRMATION?
The Bishop is the minister of the sacrament of confirmation, and during the ceremony he lays his hand on each of the candidates and anoints them with Chrism oil, saying: '......................................(Confirmation name of the candidate) 'be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.' In this sacrament the Bishop prays for a specia
The Bishop is the minister of the sacrament of confirmation, and during the ceremony he lays his hand on each of the candidates and anoints them with Chrism oil, saying: '......................................(Confirmation name of the candidate) 'be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.' In this sacrament the Bishop prays for a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the recipients so that they can become mature and spirit-filled courageous Christians.
...BUT IS IT BIBLICAL?
WHAT HAPPENS AT CONFIRMATION?
...BUT IS IT BIBLICAL?
It depends on what one means by 'Biblical'. Everything we do as Catholics have their source and origin in Christ, and these we can find in the New Testament - especially the Gospels. The sacraments were instituted by Christ and that is why they are so life-changing for those who wish to co-operate with the graces inherent in them.
HOW WAS CONFIRMATION INSTITUTED BY CHRIST?
Jesus spoke a lot about the Holy Spirit that is coming to give strength to his disciples. In the Gospel of John 20:22-23, Jesus even said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive they are forgiven. For those whose sins you retain they are retained '. And of course on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on those weak and fearful apostles/disciples and renewed their strength. The disciples, thus emboldened, were used by the Lord to impart his gift of the Holy Spirit on other people. Acts 8:14-17; Acts 9:17, and other passages in the New Testament speak of the laying on of hands so that people could receive the Holy Spirit.
HOW IS CONFIRMATION DONE IN ST CHAD'S?
The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the Archbishop or Bishop. In the Archdiocese of Southwark the Episcopal Vicars also help in this area. Enrollment forms, duly advertised in the bulletin, are completed and submitted by those wishing to receive confirmation (or by their parents) at the next confirmation ceremony . The candidates are required to attend the confirmation classes in addition to attending weekend masses. Once the period of Catechesis is completed, the final day arrives when during the confirmation Mass the celebrant calls down upon them the Holy Spirit by prayer and the laying on of hands.