This Wednesday we will welcome Auxiliary Bishop Edward Deliman to Our Lady of Peace. Bishop Deliman will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation upon twenty-eight of our young parishioners. The Sacrament of Confirmation completes their initiation into the Roman Catholic Church. Congratulations to them, their sponsors, their parents, their catechists, their teachers, and to all who have prepared them for this wonderful Sacrament of the Advocacy of the Holy Spirit. The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation allows us to recall our own reception of this wonderful Sacrament and to thank God for his continual abiding presence in our lives.
The Holy Spirit, as our Advocate, stands beside us, defends us, and protects us. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a reminder of the ministry of Jesus, since they share in the same mission, and to keep us in a good relationship with God. The mission of the Son and the Spirit brings us together in unity and enriches us with all the gifts needed to fulfill our responsibilities as the Body of Christ.
These gifts represent all that God gives us to live a good and holy life. “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be the Fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2-3)
Wisdom – seeing God at work in the world
Understanding – comprehension of the will of God
Counsel – living a life based on the virtues and values taught by Jesus
Fortitude – willing to uphold the truth
Knowledge – the desire to learn more about God and the faith
Reverence – total reliance upon God with humility, trust, and love
Fear of the Lord – God is the perfection of all that we desire
“May the Holy Spirit, who kindles the fire of charity in the hearts of disciples, bless you and lead you, blameless, and gathered as one into the joy of the Kingdom of God.” (Solemn Blessing of the Newly Confirmed. Roman Missal page 979.
II. Sacraments: Confirmation
1. Confirmation: (strengthening or to make firm) It is the sacrament by which the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. The reception of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, “CCC” 1285).
2. Baptism & Confirmation: we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and then they are deepened in Confirmation.
3. Minister: The ordinary minister is the bishop, though a priest may be delegated by the bishop to confirm (CCC 1312 – 14).
4. Words (formula) used: be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
5. Oil used: Sacred Chrism (SC – Sanctum Chrisma).
6. Holy Spirit: the 3rd person of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son and with Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified. He is our Advocate & Consoler.
7. Gifts of the Holy Spirit: There are 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, and Fear of the Lord.
8. Fruits of the Holy Spirit: There are 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit: Charity (love), Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control, and Chastity.
9. Temple of the Holy Spirit: each of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit because Holy Spirit dwells within us. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to imitate Jesus.
10. Is it a sacrament that can be received frequently? No. A person can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation only once. (CCC 1304).