9.2: Confirmation

In the Roman Catholic Church confirmation is celebrated at different ages according to the rules of the local bishop (generally between 10 and 14 years old), but adults who are baptised are always confirmed immediately afterwards. Whereas baptism enters you into the community, without your consent in the case of a child, confirmation is an affirmation that you want to remain in it. It is an adult commitment which reaffirms your baptismal promises. A traditional way of speaking is that it makes you a soldier of Christ. This means that you are committed to working and fighting for your faith. Every confirmed Catholic (and Christian) is a missionary entrusted with the task of spreading their faith. We say that they must give Christian witness. Witness is a term used by Christians to mean a public declaration of their faith. This can be by word or example. For instance, a Christian who demonstrates against a bad law gives Christian witness. Arguing the case for the faith is witness, as is a simple kind deed.

Suggest at least six ways in which Roman Catholics can give witness for their faith.

Why does witness require courage?

What is the best age to receive confirmation?

The Ceremony of Confirmation
Here is what you need to know about the ceremony.

1. It takes place during mass.
2. The celebrant is usually a bishop, but may be a priest who has received special permission.
3. Each candidate has a sponsor who affirms that they are willing to be confirmed.
4. Each candidate renews the promises of their baptism
5. The celebrant lays hands on the candidates, while praying that the Holy Spirit be brought down upon them. He does this by stretching his hands over them - he does not actually touch them at this point.
6. The candidates approach the celebrant one at a time.The sponsor’s right hand is placed on the candidate’s shoulder.
7. The candidate has chosen a saint's name which the sponsor gives to the celebrant.
8. The celebrant anoints the candidate with chrism, a sign of strength, and says, "(Confirmation name) be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." The candidate replies "Amen"
9. The mass continues with the presentation of gifts.

You will almost certainly have been to a confirmation ceremony, probably your own. Describe such a ceremony as if you were there. Include all the elements above.

Chrism is an important symbol. It is a sign of strength. The Christian is being given the strength of Christ to fight for good. From ancient times people were marked out for a special task by being anointed. They were identified as servants of a particular Lord by having that Lord’s sign written or marked on them in some way. In confirmation Christians are being marked out as Christ’s people, members of the People of God. They are commissioned to a special task, spreading to gospel and fighting against evil. Confirmation is a sign that they are ready to take up their Christian vocation.

At confirmation we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power of God, the Third Person of the Trinity, who sanctifies us, that is makes us holy and gives us the strength and the love of God in our lives. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives will produce certain benefits. These they call the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is intended to bring us closer to God, enable us to love God more and to be stronger in the practice of the Christian life. When I was confirmed at the age of nine I expected to be suddenly enlightened. This did not happen, and I came to realise that the influence of the Holy Spirit is felt not immediately but over time.

Explain the meaning of the symbols used in confirmation.

What should be the effects of the influence of the Holy Spirit in a Christian life?

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