Confirmation--What Is It?
Confirmation, like the other sacraments of initiation, marks the beginning of a journey toward deeper knowledge of God. Our Lady of the Lake's Confirmation candidates join us in claiming our heritage. For years to come, they will bear witness to what loving and believing people have handed on to them—all in the Spirit of God!
Confirmation is the "seal" of God's promise. It marks us as God's property. Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of Baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Confirmation one's identity is changed; They "receive the Holy Spirit" and become "Soldiers of Christ." It is the occasion when young people Baptized as infants put their "personal signature" on their parents' decision.
Confirmation has long been delayed until a Baptized infant could reach some understanding of these things—at least until the age of reason (about seven) and often until the approach of adolescence. The Spirit is the power to raise our voices in witness! Witness in the early Church often meant putting life on the line. From "witness" comes the word martyr. Believers are still dying for their faith all over the world. Today, witness frequently refers to "vocalized" faith. It implies enthusiastic testimony to what the Lord has done in each of our lives.
Confirmation is the "seal" of God's promise. It marks us as God's property. Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of Baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Confirmation one's identity is changed; They "receive the Holy Spirit" and become "Soldiers of Christ." It is the occasion when young people Baptized as infants put their "personal signature" on their parents' decision.
Confirmation has long been delayed until a Baptized infant could reach some understanding of these things—at least until the age of reason (about seven) and often until the approach of adolescence. The Spirit is the power to raise our voices in witness! Witness in the early Church often meant putting life on the line. From "witness" comes the word martyr. Believers are still dying for their faith all over the world. Today, witness frequently refers to "vocalized" faith. It implies enthusiastic testimony to what the Lord has done in each of our lives.
What Does Confirmation Do For You?
The Sacrament of Confirmation gives special graces from the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed. Similarly, such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, it can only be performed once.
Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
1) Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ.
2) Confirmation increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
3) Confirmation strengthens our bond with the Church.
4) We become an adult in the Church.
5) Confirmation gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ. It helps us to confess the name of Christ boldly.
Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
1) Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ.
2) Confirmation increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
3) Confirmation strengthens our bond with the Church.
4) We become an adult in the Church.
5) Confirmation gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ. It helps us to confess the name of Christ boldly.