I.
CONCEPT NOTES
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a sacrament of Christian initiation – its unity with the other Sacraments of Christian Initiation
must be safeguarded (especially with Baptism).
-The sacrament of confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. “For the
sacrament of confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a
special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to
spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” LG 11 – CCC 1285
-The Eastern Churches call it the sacrament of Chrismation, anointing with chrism; in the West,
the term Confirmation is used which suggests that this sacrament both confirms baptism and
strengthens baptismal grace.
Confirmation – is the sacrament through which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way and enables
us to profess our faith as strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ(as soldiers
we must be loyal to our King, and be prepared to undergo suffering and defend Him)
-Christ promised the gift of the Holy Spirit (Lk. 24:49: Jn. 14:16-17, 14:25-26, 16:26-27)
Confirmation in a very special manner brings us the Holy Spirit with His sevenfold gifts (CCC 1831):
wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord
What does the character of Confirmation work in us? – The character of confirmation marks us forever as
mature followers of Christ.
Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. CCC 1306
History
-In the first centuries, Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming
with it a double sacrament. But with the spread of infant baptism, the growth of rural parishes
and dioceses, it is impossible for the bishop to be present in all baptismal celebration.
The name Confirmation was first used by the French Councils of Riez and Orange in 439 and 441,
which gave priests permission to anoint children they baptized with consecrated chrism, and instructed
the bishops to visit rural areas of their diocese regularly in order to confirm these baptisms by the
imposition of the hands.
Problem: it is hard for the peasants to convince to bring their children to the bishop.
Rite of the Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with
chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words:
‘Accipesignaculumdoni Spiritus Sancti.’ – Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Revised
by Pope Paul VI (1971)
Theology of Confirmation (over the course of time, the Theology of Confirmation developed)
-Difference with Baptism…
1. In Baptism, we are born to new life; after baptism we are confirmed for combat.
2. In Baptism, we are washed; after Baptism we are strengthened.
-In baptism, the Holy Spirit gave new life, but in Confirmation, the Spirit gave additional
strength for the battle with sin and the devil in adulthood.
-Confirmation gave Christians strength to witness to the faith and to speak openly about Christ.
What is necessary to receive Confirmation?
To receive Confirmation properly, it is necessary to be in the state of grace, and to know well
the chief truths and duties of our Religion.
-The Apostle’s Creed, the Commandments, the sacraments and common prayers are the
basis.
What are the effects of Confirmation?
Confirmation increases sanctifying grace, gives its special sacramental grace, and imprints a
lasting character on the soul.
-Confirmation grants us the special (sacramental) grace by which our faith is deepened and
strengthened.
CCC 1302 - The effect of the Sacrament is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once
granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.
It brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
1. It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, “Abba! Father!”
2. It unites us more firmly to Christ;
3. It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
4. It renders our bond with the Church more perfect
5. It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and depend the faith by word and
action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be
ashamed of the Cross.
Sealing with Holy Spirit
Everlasting Character - Confirmation perfects in us the divine life received in baptism by
giving us the holy spirit more abundantly and imprinting on our souls an everlasting character.
- It is the character of confirmation marks us forever as mature followers of Christ.
Matter - Holy Chrism (chrism comes from Greek word “chrisma” meaning anointing) is
consecrated by the bishop in the course of the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday.
- It is done by Anointing with Chrism.
Form (Since 13th Century) – I sign you with the sign of the cross, and I confirm you with the
chrism of salvation, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The ministers of the Sacrament of Confirmation:
1. Ordinary Minister – bishop
2. Extraordinary Minister – Pastors (parish priests) in their respective parishes provided they
are given the faculty by the bishop to do so.
Difficulty of the sacrament’s institution.
Aquinas: breathing on the apostles with the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22)
Aquinas also proposed that Christ had instituted the sacrament not by performing it but
by promising it (Jn 16:17)
SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS / MATERIALS
Want to find out more? For further readings, seethe Catechism of the Catholic Church
(CCC), The Seven Sacraments of the Church, No. 1315– 1321.
REFERENCES
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Manila: ECCE/Word and Life Publications, 1994.
INTERNET SOURCES
Watch commentary through YouTube channel: Bishop Robert Baron, The Sacrament of
Confirmation
