Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

“As we continue to explore “How God Distributes His Gifts” we delve into a deeper look at each of the sacraments.  We are reminded that Jesus promises that he would not leave us orphans but would send the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us.  He gave the sacraments to heal, feed, and strengthen us.  

We first looked at the sacraments of Baptism, Penance and the Eucharist.  Today we will look at the sacrament of Confirmation.  For those who are interested in learning more about Confirmation you can turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church numbers 1285-1321.  

“God strengthens our souls in another way, through the sacrament of confirmation.  Even though Jesus’ disciples received grace before his Resurrection, on Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to strengthen them with new graces for the difficult work ahead.  Then they went out and preached the gospel fearlessly and carried out the mission Christ had given them.  Later, they laid hands on others to strengthen them as well.  In Acts 8:14-17 we read, “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”  Through confirmation you too are strengthened to meet the spiritual challenges in your life.” (Pillar of fire-Pillar of truth, Catholic Answers)

In the Order of Confirmation we read, “The sharing in the divine nature given to individuals through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life.  Born anew by Baptism, the faithful are strengthened by the Sacrament of Confirmation and ultimately are sustained by the food of eternal life in the Eucharist.  By means of these Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Penance or Confession, and Confirmation), they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.  It has rightly been written: “The flesh is washed, that the soul may be cleansed; the flesh is anointed, that the soul may be consecrated; the flesh is signed, that the soul too may be fortified; the flesh is overshadowed by the laying on of hands, that the soul too may be enlightened by the Spirit; the flesh is fed on the Body and Blood of Christ, that the soul too may be richly nourished by God.  

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: Accipe Signaculum Doni Spiritus Sancti (Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit).”

God Bless,

Fr. David