confirmation: consecrated for mission uscca chapter 16 tuesday, september 22, 2015tuesday, september...

Confirmation: Consecrated for Confirmation: Consecrated for MissionMission

USCCA Chapter 16USCCA Chapter 16

Wednesday, April 19, 2023Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Session 3: Confirmation—Consecrated for MissionSession 3: Confirmation—Consecrated for Mission

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

1. Confirmation, called Chrismation in the Eastern Church, is the second Sacrament of initiation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist.


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2. Confirmation seals the Baptized person with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthens them for service in the Body of Christ.

a. The prophets of the Old Testament foretold the coming of the Spirit.

b. Jesus’ mission occurred in communion with the Spirit.

c. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles on the evening of Easter Sunday and upon all Christians on Pentecost.


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2. Confirmation seals the Baptized person with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthens them for service in the Body of Christ.

d. In addition to Baptism, the Apostles laid hands on believers for them to receive the Holy Spirit.

e. By the second century, Confirmation was also conferred by anointing with holy oil, called ‘sacred Chrism’. Oil signifies cleansing, strengthening and healing.


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3. Each baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Latin Church, candidates should be:

a. Between the age of discretion and sixteen.

b. In a state of grace.

c. Prepared by prayer and catechesis.

d. Committed to the responsibilities entailed by the sacrament.


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4. The elements of the liturgy of Confirmation include:

a. Renewal of Baptismal promises by the candidate.

b. The laying on or extending of hands by the bishop, with a prayer for the outpouring of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

c. The Anointing with Sacred Chrism on the forehead.

d. A Confirmation candidate can choose the name of a biblical, beatified or canonized person and learn how that individual was a witness to Christ.


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5. In the Latin Church, the bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, highlighting the Apostolic roots of the celebration of Confirmation.

a. In cases of adult baptism or adult reception into the Church, the bishop can delegate these faculties (permissions) to a priest.

b. In the Eastern Church, the priest confirms infants immediately after Baptism.


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6. Confirmation imparts a seal or character on the soul of the recipient that cannot be repeated and is permanent.


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7. Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of Baptismal grace. Confirmation:

a. Roots us more deeply as children of God.

b. Unites us more firmly to Christ.

c. Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.


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d. Renders our bond with the Church more perfect.

e. Gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action.

7. Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of Baptismal grace. Confirmation:


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8. Confirmation bestows on us the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us spread and defend the faith.

a. Wisdom enables us to see the world from God’s viewpoint.

b. Knowledge directs us to contemplation of the mystery of the Triune God.

c. Understanding stimulates us to work on knowing ourselves as part of our growth in God.

d. Fortitude prepares us to stand up for Christ when our faith is challenged.


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e. Counsel helps us to sense the interior teaching that the Spirit gives us about our moral lives.

f. Piety helps us respect God who created us.

g. Fear of the Lord helps us to see our relationship with God with honesty.



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h. Responsiveness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit will bring about the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives:

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.



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For Discussion:For Discussion:

1. What challenges to spreading the love of Christ do you experience on a daily basis? How has (or can) the grace of Confirmation help you to witness to Christ’s love in those situations?

2. Memorize the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

confirmation: consecrated for mission uscca chapter 16 tuesday, september 22, 2015tuesday, september...

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