Sacramental of Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacrament through which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way to join us more closely to Jesus and His Church and to seal and strengthen us as Christ's witnesses. We are accepted as fully initiated members of the Church and are expected to take up the challenge of becoming mature Disciples of Christ. We view Confirmation as a sealing of our baptism, it is an opportunity for us to say "yes" to the vows taken for us by our godparents in the sacrament of Baptism.
What Does the Word Confirmation Mean?
Confirmation means, “making strong” or “strengthening”. The work begun by our baptism is strengthened or completed by Confirmation.
What are the Special Gifts of Confirmation that give Strength?
Receiving the Holy Spirit and His seven gifts give us the strength to stand up for and defend our faith.
What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
- Wisdom: enables us to see that all of life can be reduced to one simple truth: love of God and neighbor.
- Understanding: to see beneath the surface of a problem or an issue to recognize what is really involved.
- Knowledge: to get the facts straight. To be able to recognize the difference between truth and error.
- Courage: Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge enable us to be convinced of what is good. Courage gives us the strength to be able to hold on to and defend that which is good no matter how difficult or dangerous it might be.
- Right Judgment: gifted by God’s Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge, we will be able to figure out how best to act in a tough situation.
- Reverence: this gift enables us to be sensitive to the love and holiness God offers us through Jesus and the Christian community.
- Awe in God’s Presence: this gift enables us to have a keen awareness of just how special and awesome God really is.
Confirmation Handbook 2024
Click the image below for the handbook:
