CONFIRMATION

SACRAMENT OF INITIATION

JOURNEY WITH THE SPIRIT

• RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES• Jeremiah 1:4-10, 31:31-34• We are made in the image & likeness of God• Original sin brought sin into the world and wounded and

placed humankind in disordered relationships with God, one another, and creation.

• As a sign and source of God’s presence in the world, the Church is a sacrament

• Liturgical focus-Sacrament of Initiation• Signs of Faith-Baptisimal & Confirmation Names• Water is the symbol of the Holy Spirit

BELIEVE WITH THE SPIRIT

• RECEIVING A CANDLE• John 9:35-39, Matthew 8:23-27, 17:14-21• Faith is based on God’s great gift of revelation. Among

other things, revelation tells us that God the Father communicated himself and his plan for all creation by sending us his own Son, Jesus.

• Faith has two sides: God’s call and our response.• Being a member of the Church strengthens and supports

our faith.• Sign of Faith-Paschal Candle• Cloud & Light are symbols of the Holy Spirit.

GIFTED WITH THE SPIRIT

• SIGNING• 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, John 14:15-20, 25-29• Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are filled with

God’s life.• The Holy Spirit is our Advocate.• Trinity is the name the Church gives to the mystery of

one God in three Persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.• Signs of Faith- Laying on of Hands• Wind is the symbol of the Holy Spirit

ANOINTED WITH THE SPIRIT

• BLESSING OF THE CANDIDATES• Isaiah 11:1-5, Acts 8:4-21, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7• We receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation.• These gifts are helps, powers, and inclinations to acts in

ways that will help us grow in our relationship with Jesus, the Son of God, and benefit the community.

• Conversion is a movement toward being and acting as disciples or followers of Jesus.

• Signs of Faith-Blessings• Fire is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

• PROCESSION WITH OILS• Isaiah 61:1-3, 6, 8-9, 1 Samuel 9:27—10:1, 16:1-4, 12,

13, Acts 10:38• The holy oils used in the celebration of sacraments are

signs of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.• Anointing signifies being chosen and sealed with the

Holy Spirit.• In Confirmation we are anointed for discipleship and

mission.• Signs of Faith-Sacramentals• Seal is the symbol of the Holy Spirit

SANCTIFIED BY THE SPIRIT

• LITANY OF SAINTS, BLESSING WITH INCENSE• 1 John 3:1-3, Luke 4:14-19, 21, Matthew 5:13-14, 16• Everyone who is baptized is called to holiness because

in Baptism we put on Christ.• Jesus is the best model we have of the holiness of God

the Father.• Being a Christian involves taking up the cross and living

in the Paschal Mystery of dying to sin and rising to new life.

• Signs of Faith-Incense• Dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit

GUIDED BY THE SPIRIT

• EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE• Luke 22:31-34, 54-62, Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21, John

20:19-23• Sin is turning away from God. Our sins can be mortal or

venial.• An important work of the Holy Spirit is conversion.• We are called to forgive and to reconcile.• Signs of Faith-Absolution• Hand is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

CHALLENGED BY THE SPIRIT

• SHARING A MEAL• John 6:35-58, Luke 22:19-20, 24:30-35, Acts 2:46-47,

1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The Church is the Body of Christ and a pilgrim people.

Through Confirmation our bond with the Chuch is strengthened and we receive the special strength of the Holy Spirit to help us be witnesses.

The Eucharist nourishes and strengthens us for mission.

Signs of Faith- Bread and Wine

Finger of God is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

• SOLIDARITY OF THE HUMAN FAMILY• CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND

PARTICIPATION• CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION• DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS• RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HUMAN

PERSON• LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON• OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE

COVENANT OF LOVE

God’s covenant with his people reveals his overwhelming love. The covenant that God the Father chooses to establish with us through Jesus Christ proclaims a profound truth:

We are called into relationship with the divine love of the Trinity so that we might echo this love in all our worldly relationships.

GOD’S PROMISE

• GOD PROMISES HIS PRESENCE & FAITHFULNESS.

• HE INVITES US TO BE HIS CHILDREN.• HE GIVES US HIS GIFT OF FAITH,

WHICH IS A SHARE IN HIS OWN LIFE.• WE PROMISE THAT WE WILL TURN

FROM SIN AND BE FAITHFUL TO GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.

GRACE

• GRACE IS A FREE AND UNDESERVED GIFT OF GOD. IT ALLOWS US TO REPOND TO OUR CALLING TO BE HIS CHILDREN.

SANCTIFYING GRACE

• GOD SHARES HIS FRIENDSHIP AND DIVINE LIFE WITH US THROUGH SANCTIFYING GRACE. IT IS A STABLE AND PERMANENT SPIRITUAL DISPOSITION ENABLING US TO LIVE IN GOD’S LOVE.

ACTUAL GRACES

• ACTUAL GRACES ARE THE SPECIAL HELPS THAT GOD GIVES US TO DO GOOD, AVOID EVIL, AND CONFORM OUR LIVES TO HIM.

SACRAMENTAL GRACES

• SACRAMENTAL GRACES AND SPECIAL GRACES (LIKE CHARISMS AND GRACE GIVEN BECAUSE OF ONE’S STATE OF LIFE) ARE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH HELPS US FULFILL OUR CHRISTIAN VOCATION.

BAPTISMAL PROMISES

• AT OUR BAPTISM, OUR PARENTS AND GODPARENTS MAKE OUR BAPTISM PROMISES.

• THEY ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TRAINING US IN THE PRACTICE OF OUR FAITH.

• THEY WILL BRING US UP TO KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS, BY LOVING HIM AND OUR NEIGHBOR.

• THEY PROMISE TO KEEP US SAFE FROM SIN SO GOD’S LIFE IN US WILL GROW STRONGER.

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES

BISHOP: Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises?

Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. Who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who came upon the apostles at Pentecost and today is given to you sacramentally in confirmation?

YOUR RESPONSE

I DO

SACRAMENTS

• SACRAMENTS ARE BOTH SIGNS AND ACTIONS. THEY BOTH SIGNIFY AND POINT TO THE HIDDEN PRESENCE OF GOD.

• THEY ARE ACTIONS OF GOD AND THE CHURCH AND SIGNS AND INSTRUMENTS OF GRACE.

SACRAMENT OF INITITATION

BAPTISM/ EUCHARIST/ CONFIRMATION

IT IS THROUGH THESE SACRAMENTS THAT WE ARE INTRODUCED TO GOD’S COVENANT OF LOVE!

WE CAN NOW LIVE IN A DEEP RELATIONSHIP WITH TRINITY.

WE BECOME FULL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH!

CONFIRMATION

• COMPLETES THE GRACES RECEIVED AT BAPTISM.

• THROUGH IT WE RECEIVE THE SPECIAL STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO HELPS US BECOME STRONGER CHILDREN OF GOD AND MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

BAPTISMAL & CONFIRMATION NAMES

• TRADITIONALLY. THE NAME WE RECEIVE AT BAPTISM IS A CHRISTIAN ONE, CHOSEN IN HONOR OF ONE OF THE SAINTS OR THE BLESSED MOTHER.

• WE CHOSE A CONFIRMATION NAME IN THE SAME WAY. IT CAN BE SYMBOLIC OF A DEEPER STAGE IN YOUR FAITH LIFE. IT IS NOT PART OF THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION.

WATER

• IT IS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT THE WATER BECOMES THE SOURCE OF NEW DIVINE LIFE IN CHRIST FOR US. IN THE WATERS OF BAPTISM THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US DIVINE LIFE.

LIGHT

• EACH NEWLY BAPTIZED CHRISTIAN RECEIVES A LIT CANDLE TO SHOW THE LIGHT OF THE RISEN CHRIST HAS BEEN SHARED WITH EACH OF THEM PERSONALLY IN THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM. THE LIT CANDLE SYMBOLIZES A LIVING FAITH, SHINNING FOR ALL TO SEE.

PASCHAL CANDLE

• ALSO CALLED THE EASTER CANDLE.• AT THE EASTER VIGIL, WHILE THE

CHURCH IS STILL IN DARKNESS, THE PASCHAL CANDLE IS CARRIED IN PROCESSION INTO THE CHURCH AS A SYMBOL OF THE RISEN CHRIST. THE CANDLES THAT ARE GIVEN TO THE CHURCH MEMBERS ARE LIT FROM THE PASCHAL CANDLE.

COMMUNAL FAITH

• WE ARE CARRIED BY THE FAITH OF OTHERS, AND WE SUPPORT OTHERS IN FAITH THROUGH OUR BELIEFS, PRAYERS, AND ACTIONS. IT IS THROUGH THE COMMUNITY OF THE CHURCH THAT OUR FAITH IS FED AND SUPPORTED.

GIFT FOR THE CHURCH

• JESUS PROMISED TO SEND THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE WHOLE CHURCH. IT ALSO REMINDS US THAT THE WORK OF GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE INSEPARABLE; WHEN GOD THE FATHER SENDS ONE, HE SENDS THE OTHER.

• PENTECOST IS JESUS’ PROMISE FULFILLED. THE APOSTLES AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED THEM PASSED ON THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE NEWLY BAPTIZED BY THE LAYING ON OF HANDS!

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD ALIVE IN US AND IN THE WORLD. THROUGH THE POWER AND PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE COME TO KNOW THAT GOD DOES REALLY LOVE US;WE COME TO KNOW WHO JESUS IS AND DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM; WE BECOME MEMBERS OF HIS CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST; AND WE ARE GIVEN THE STRENGTH TO DO THINGS SIMILAR TO THOSE THAT JESUS DID AS WE CONTINUE HIS MISSION HERE ON EARTH.

TRINITY

• IN ONE GOD THERE ARE THREE PERSONS: FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.

• IT IS THE CENTRAL MYSTERY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE.

• CHRISTIANS ARE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE TRINITY AND ARE CONTINUALLY REMINDED OF THIS MYSTERY EACH TIME THEY MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.

PERMANENT DISPOSITIONS

• THE 7 GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE GIVEN TO US AS PERMANENT DISPOSITIONS OF POWERS. THEY INCLINE US TO ACT IN CERTAIN WAYS. “THE MORAL LIFE OF CHRISTIANS IS SUSTAINED BY THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.” WE ARE CALLED TO USE THEM FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS AND THE BENEFIT OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY. THEY MORE WE USE THEM, THE STRONGER THEY BECOME IN US!

WISDOM

THE POWER TO JUDGE THINGS IN THE LIGHT OF GOD’S STANDARDS AND TO MAKE DECISIONS AND ACT ACCORDING TO GOD’S LAW.

UNDERSTANDING

• THE POWER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERIES OF LIFE AND RELIGION, TO KNOW HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS, AND TO APPLY THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH.

RIGHT JUDGMENT

• THE POWER TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS IN MATTERS OF RIGHT AND WRONG, GOOD AND EVIL.

COURAGE

• THE POWER TO STAND UP TO MY BELIEFS AND THE VALUES OF JESUS’ MESSAGE EVEN WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT.

KNOWLEDGE

• THE POWER TO KNOW THE VALUE AND WORTH OF CREATED THINGS AND SEE ALL OF LIFE AND CREATION THROUGH GOD’S EYES.

REVERENCE

• THE POWER TO TREAT GOD AND PEOPLE WITH HONOR, SEEING PEOPLE AS BEING MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE.

WONDER AND AWE

• THE POWER TO RECOGNIZE HOW AWESOME GOD IS AND TO RECOGNIZE THE AWE IN HIS CREATION

CONVERSION

• MEANS TO CHANGE

• TO MOVE AWAY FROM DOING OR BEING ONE WAY TO DOING OR BEING ANOTHER WAY.

SPIRITUAL CONVERSION

• INVOLVES BEING SORRY FOR OUR SINS AND WANTING TO CHANGE OUR WAYS AND TURN TOWARD GOD.

• IT IS A PROCESS OF BECOMING UNITED MORE CLOSELY TO JESUS AND GROWING MORE LIKE HIM.

• THE 7 GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US ON THAT JOURNEY WHEN WE USE THEM.

EVANGELIZATION

• WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO EVANGELIZE OR BRING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST TO OTHERS. WE NEED TO KNOW JESUS AND HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IN ORDER TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS.

ANOINTING WITH OIL AT BAPTISM

• OIL OF CATECHUMENS-IT IS THE RITE OF STRENGTHENING AND PROTECTION IN THE POWER OF CHRIST

• OIL OF CHRISM-THIS FRGRANT OIL IS CONSECRATED BY THE BISHOP. THIS ANOINTING CONFIGURES THE CHILD TO CHRIST, WHO WAS ANOINTED FOR HIS MISSION AS PRIEST, PROPHET, AND KING.

ANOINTING AT CONFIRMATION

• THE BISHOPS ANOINTS THE FOREHEAD OF THE PERSON BEING CONFIRMED WITH CHRISM. THIS CONFIRMS AND COMPLETES THE ANOINTING AT BAPTISM.

MASS OF CHRISM

• SPECIAL MASS, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY CELEBRATED ON HOLY THURSDAY, IN WHICH THE BISHOP CONSECRATES ALL THE CHRISM THAT WILL BE USED THROUGHOUT HIS DIOCESE FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

• THE MASS HIGHLIGHTS THE BISHOP’S MINISTRY AND HIS UNION WITH THE FAITHFUL IN HIS DIOCESE.

CHRISM

• IS A COMBINATION OF OLIVE OIL AND BALSAM.

• IT SIGNIFIES ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND COMMITTED SERVICE TO GOD.

• IT IS ALSO USED AT THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS.

SACRAMENTALS• ACTIONS, SACRED SIGNS, OR OBJECTS THAT ARE BLESSED

BY THE CHURCH AND HELP PEOPLE PRAY OR THINK OF GOD.

• HOLY WATER, MEDALS, STATUES, HOLY OILS, BLESSINGS, OR INCENSE ARE NOT SACRAMENTS BECAUSE THEY WERE INSTITUTED BY THE CHURCH, NOT CHRIST.

• THEY ALSO DO NOT GIVE GRACE BUT HELP A PERSON RESPOND TO THE GRACE RECEIVED IN THE SACRAMENT.

• SACRAMENTALS LEAD A PERSON TO DEVOTION, PRAYER, FAITH, AND CHARITY.

• BLESSINGS ARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT SACRAMENTALS. IN BLESSINGS WE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS WORKS AND GIFTS AND PRAY THAT WE AND OTHERS WILL USE GOD’S GIFTS IN WAYS THAT REFLECT THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.

DISCIPLESHIP & MISSION

• WHEN WE ARE ANOINTED AND SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE ARE GIVEN BOTH GIFTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSION.

• A DISCIPLE IS BOTH A BELIEVER AND A STUDENT.• READ & THINK ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES• PRAYING• CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENTS• LEARNING FROM FELLOW BELIEVERS IN THE

CHURCH• DOING ACTS OF CHARITY AND JUSTICE

LITANY OF SAINTS

• INTERCESSORY PRAYER HAS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PRAYER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

• THE SAINTS ARE POWERFUL INTERCESSIONS TO WHOM WE TURN IN TIMES OF NEED AND GRATITUDE; THEIR PRAYERS HELP US AND CONNECT US TO THE FAITH OF OTHERS.

• NEAR TO THE MOMENT OF BAPTISM, THE CHURCH CALLS UPON THE SAINTS TO PRAY FOR US.

• THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH, BOTH ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN, IS JOINED TOGETHER IN PRAYER AT THAT MOMENT. TOGETHER THEY ASK FOR GOD’S GRACE TO BE POURED OUT IN THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.

• IT HAS ALSO BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE EASTER VIGIL.

INCENSE

• WE USE INCENSE IN THE LITURGY AS A SIGN OF VENERATION AND HONOR.

• THE INCENSE REFLECT’S THE CHURCH’S PRAYER ASCENDING TO HEAVEN.

• IT DRAWS US INTO THE SPIRIT OF ADORATION, AND REMINDS US THAT WE TOO ARE CALLED TO HOLINESS AND TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

• IT IS AN AROMATIC SUBSTANCE THAT COMES FROM CERTAIN RESINOUS TREES.

THE SANCTIFIER/HOLY SPIRIT

• THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN THE CHURCH AND MAKES US A HOLY PEOPLE.

• THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO DWELLS IN US. OUR BODIES ARE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

• WE ARE MADE HOLY THROUGH OUR BAPTISM AND WE CONTINUALLY BECOME HOLY BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

• THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES US TO DO GOOD AND AVOID WHAT IS AGAINST GOD’S LAW.

• CONFIRMATION INCREASES AND DEEPENS THE SENSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US. IT ALSO JOINS US MORE CLOSELY TO CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.

CONFIRMATION

• CONFIRMATION STRENGTHENS THE GIFT OF SANCTIFYING GRACE WE RECEIVED IN BAPTISM. IT UNITES US MORE FULLY WITH THE CHURCH.

• IT GIVES US A SPECIAL STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SHARE OUR FAITH AS WITNESSES OF CHRIST AND TO NEVER BE ASHAMED OF THE CROSS OF YOUR FAITH.