Theology of the Ritual

From Why confirmation matters: Archdiocese of St. Louis, 2024,https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZTTZKXQwUxdKqrgQ8qFX4vqYblxZes9pOcDeEqqwcQA&s

Confirmation

Confirmation is about renewing one’s baptismal promises before receiving communion for the first time. (Davis, 2024d)

In the early church, initiation involved immersion in water, the laying on of hands, and anointment with chrism by the bishop, culminating in joining the community at the Lord’s table, all within a single ceremony.

Over time, Confirmation became distinct from Baptism due to historical developments, yet the sequence of initiation sacraments remained unchanged: Baptism followed by Confirmation, and finally, Communion (or Eucharist). Confirmation consistently entailed reaffirming baptismal vows before partaking in communion for the first time (Archdiocese for Brisbane, 2024 as cited by Davis 2024e)

The Sacrament of Confirmation makes us subjects of the Eucharistic action, changing us from passive observers of religious rituals into active participants (Morrill, 2000 as cited by Orr 2013).

The Sacrament of Confirmation is viewed as inherently connected to the Holy Spirit. This perspective emphasizes the Spirit's role in empowering Christ for his messianic mission (Keightley, 2012 as cited by Orr 2013)

What is Confirmation - simplified from the Catechism

Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation are the initiation sacraments.
Confirmation completes baptismal grace.
It strengthens the bond with the Church and empowers with the Holy Spirit.
Confirmed individuals are entrusted with spreading and defending the faith as witnesses of Christ. (CCC, 1285)

Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation

The Old Testament foretold the Spirit resting on the Messiah.
The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at baptism, confirming him as the Messiah.
Jesus lived in total communion with the Holy Spirit.
Christ promised the Spirit, fulfilled at Pentecost.
Filled with the Spirit, apostles proclaimed God's works.
Apostles imparted the Spirit through the laying on of hands, completing Baptism's grace.
Anointing with chrism signifies the Holy Spirit's gift.
Confirmation in the East and West strengthens baptismal grace and completes initiation.
Confirmation and Baptism were often celebrated together in the early centuries.
The Roman Church added double anointing after Baptism, emphasizing Christ's offices.
Eastern Churches stress Christian initiation's unity; Latin Church highlights communion with the bishop. (CCC, 1286-1292)

The Signs and Rite of Confirmation

Anointing in Confirmation signifies a spiritual seal, rich in biblical symbolism.
Pre-baptismal anointing with oil of catechumens cleanses and strengthens, while post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism consecrates.
Confirmation enables fuller participation in Christ's mission and the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
It seals the confirmation with the Holy Spirit, indicating belonging to Christ and divine protection.
The bishop consecrates sacred chrism before Confirmation during the Chrism Mass.
Confirmation starts with renewing baptismal promises and professing faith.
The bishop prays for wisdom, understanding, and courage over the confirmands.
Confirmation's essential rite includes anointing with chrism and laying on of hands, with the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."
In Eastern Churches, myron anoints significant body parts, accompanied by "The seal of the gift that is the Holy Spirit."
The sacrament concludes with the sign of peace, symbolizing unity with the bishop and the faithful. (CCC, 1293-1301)

The Effects of Confirmation

Confirmation brings the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit, similar to Pentecost.
It deepens baptismal grace, strengthening our connection to Christ and the Church, increasing gifts of the Holy Spirit, and empowering us to spread and defend the faith.
Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once and leaves an indelible spiritual mark, the "character," symbolizing being sealed by Christ's Spirit.
This "character" enhances the common priesthood received in Baptism and empowers the confirmed to publicly profess faith in Christ. (CCC, 1302-1305)

Who can Receive This Sacrament?

Every baptized person is encouraged to receive Confirmation to complete their initiation into the faith.
The "age of discretion" is the typical guideline for receiving Confirmation in the Latin tradition, but exceptions are made for children in danger of death.
Spiritual maturity, not just physical age, is essential for Confirmation, despite it being called the "sacrament of Christian maturity."
Preparation for Confirmation focuses on deepening the Christian's relationship with Christ and the Holy Spirit, preparing them for their role in the Church.
Catechesis for Confirmation should foster a sense of belonging to the universal Church and the local parish, with the parish taking special responsibility for preparing candidates.
Confirmation requires being in a state of grace, often attained through the sacrament of Penance.
Intense prayer readies individuals to receive the Holy Spirit with openness and readiness.
Candidates for Confirmation traditionally seek guidance from a sponsor, typically a baptismal godparent, highlighting the unity of Baptism and Confirmation. (CCC, 1306-1311)

The Minister of Confirmation

The bishop is the original minister of Confirmation.
In the East, the priest who baptizes usually administers Confirmation immediately with sacred chrism consecrated by the patriarch or bishop.
In the Latin Church, the bishop is the usual minister of Confirmation, though priests may do so in rare cases.
Bishops, as successors of the apostles, represent the fullness of Holy Orders, strengthening the recipients' connection to the Church's origins.
If a Christian is in danger of death, any priest can administer Confirmation, ensuring all members receive Christ's grace before death. (CCC, 1312-1314)

In Brief

In Acts 8:14-17, Peter and John laid hands on baptized believers, who received the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace by giving the Holy Spirit, deepening our connection to Christ and the Church.
Confirmation leaves an indelible spiritual mark on the soul, received only once.
In the East, Confirmation follows Baptism immediately, emphasizing unity with Baptism and Eucharist.
In the Latin Church, Confirmation is typically received at the age of reason and is often administered by the bishop.
Candidates must profess faith, be in grace, intend to receive the sacrament, and live as disciples of Christ.
Confirmation involves anointing with chrism, laying on of hands, and sealing with the Holy Spirit.
When Confirmation is separate from Baptism, it's linked through renewal of baptismal promises. Celebrating it during Eucharist shows unity with initiation sacraments. (CCC, 1315 - 1321)

The History of the Sacraments of Initiation

Tradition outlines the liturgical procedure for initiation, set within the context of the bishop and community celebrating the Eucharist. During this celebration, candidates undergo washing (in Baptism), receive the laying on of hands by the Bishop (Confirmation), and partake in the consecration of their oblation as the Body and Blood of Christ during Eucharistic Communion, which they receive for the first time in this ceremony (Botte, 1963 as cited by Oor, 2013).

The Process of the Sacrament of Confirmation

Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Do you renounce Satan and all his works and empty promises?

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his Son, Our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose

again from the dead and is seated at the right-hand of the Father?

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who today through the Sacrament of Confirmation is given to you

in a special way just as he was given to the Apostles on the day of the Pentecost?

Do you believe in the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting?

This is our faith, This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Christs Jesus our Lord.

Laying On of Hands

Dearly beloved,

let us pray to God the almighty Father, for these, his adopted sons and daughters, already born again to eternal life in Baptism, that he will graciously pour out the Holy Spirit upon them to confirm them with his abundant gifts, and through his anointing conform them more fully to Christ, the Son of God.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who brought these your servants to new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, freeing them from sin: send upon them, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete; give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and piety; fill them with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. Through Christ our Lord. (Order of the Confirmation

Anointing with Chrism

Candidates will present to the Bishop to be Anoicted with Chrism.

The candidate's sponsor presents the candidate to be confirmed by placing their hand on the candidate's right shoulder and stating the candidate's name.

The Bishop makes the sign of the cross on the candidate's forehead with Chrism and says: Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, to which the candidate replies Amen.

The Bishop then placing their hand on the shoulder of the Candidate, says: Peace be with you, to which the candidate replies And with your Spirit.

The Universal Prayer/Prayer of the Faithful

My dear brothers and sisters,

let us humbly pray to God the almighty Father

and be of one mind in our prayer,

just as faith, hope and charity,

which proceed from his Holy Spirit, are one.

For these his servants,

whom the gift of the Holy Spirit has confirmed:

that, planted in faith and grounded in love,

they may bear witness to Christ the Lord by their way of life,

let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer

For their parents and sponsors:

that by word and example

they may continue to encourage

those whom they have sponsored in the faith

to follow in the footsteps of Christ,

let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer

For the holy Church of God

together with N. our Pope, N. our Bishop and all the Bishops:

that, gathered by the Holy Spirit,

the Church may grow and increase in unity of faith and love

until the coming of the Lord,

let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer

For the whole world:

that all people, who have one Maker and Father,

may acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters,

without discrimination of race or nation,

and with sincere hearts seek the Kingdom of God,

which is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer

O God, who gave the Holy Spirit to your Apostles

and willed that through them and their successors

the same Spirit be handed on to the rest of the faithful,

listen favourably to our prayer,

and grant that your divine grace,

which was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed,

may now spread through the hearts of those who believe in you.

Through Christ our Lord.

Response: Amen

Eucharist (when Confirmation is undertaken during a Mass)

Liturgy of the Eucharist is undertaken when the Sacrament of Confirmation is undertaked during a Mass.

From What is a Chrism Mass and why is it important by Aleteia, 2024, https://wp.en.aleteia.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/04/web3-chrism-mass-blessing-oil-godong-fr563155b.jpg?w=640&crop=1

Chrism

Mixture of olive oil and balsam blessed by a bishop; used in certain sacraments and in certain ecclesiastical functions (Catholic Answers, 2024)

Chrism, composed of olive oil and balsam, is blessed by a bishop in a unique ritual and employed in the administration of specific sacraments and ecclesiastical duties. To be valid for the Sacrament of Confirmation, chrism must be solely comprised of pure olive oil and consecrated by a bishop.

The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king (Catholic Church, 1241)

Symbols of Confirmation

Liturgical Colours

The liturgical color for Confirmation is red, to signify the Holy Spirit who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms us during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives us the same gifts. (Church Times, 2014)

From A word to Those Being Confirmed by The Catholic World Report, 2024, https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files.catholicworldreport.com/2018/04/barron_5.23-575x381.jpg

From What gifts are received at Confirmation? by the Catholic Faith Store, 2023, https://b960748.smushcdn.com/960748/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Gifts-Holy-Spirit.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Sacrament of Confirmation shifts the emphasis from the will of the individual to enact the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the candidate being enabled to partake in the divine life (Gabrielli, 2013 as cited by Davis, 2024f).

The gifts of the Holy Spirt are outlined as:

Wisdom

Understanding

Counsel

Fortitude

Knowledge

Piety

Fear of God

Watch and Respond

After watching the video on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, engage with the Gifts. Around the room are posters representing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

On the supplied Sticky Notes. You will write a modern day interpretation, your interpretation, or an example of the Gift of the Holy Spirit and stick it onto the poster.

No need to write your name, we will discuss as a group.

You have 5 minutes for this activity

From The fruit of the spirit paining, by Sheila Smith, 2024, https://i.etsystatic.com/7479337/r/il/4747c2/870567753/il_794xN.870567753_tb8t.jpg

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul lists the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). These fruits emanate or proceed from the Holy Spirit and reveal what the Holy Spirit is like. These are the Holy Spirit’s character traits. And because the Holy Spirit is a Person of the Most Holy Trinity, and because the three Persons are one, the fruits reveal what God is like. (Van Sloun, 2020)

Words and Actions of Confirmation

Laying of hands

The bishop lays his hands on the heads of the candidates, invoking the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This symbolizes the link to Baptism and the empowerment by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus' path. (Flame of Faith, 2024)

From Confirmation, by Flame of Faith, 2024, https://flameoffaith.org.au/assets/uploads/confirmation-symbols-laying-of-hands.jpg

Anointing with oil

At Confirmation, the anointing acknowledges the candidate's sealing by the Holy Spirit. The bishop applies the Oil of Chrism to the candidate's forehead, proclaiming, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Flame of Faith, 2024)

"Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit"

The bishop applies the Oil of Chrism to the candidate's forehead, proclaiming, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Flame of Faith, 2024)

From Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, by Catechist, 2024,https://www.catechist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/LI-mw1Xgc.jpeg

From Confirmation, by Flame of Faith, 2024, ,https://flameoffaith.org.au/assets/uploads/confirmation-symbols-peace.jpg

"Peace be with you"

At the conclusion of the rite, the bishop places his hand on the candidate's cheek and utters, "Peace be with you," to which the candidate responds, "And with your spirit." This gesture symbolizes the candidate's inclusion in the Church community. (Flame of Faith, 2024)

References

Aleteia. (2024). What is the Chrism Mass and why is it important? [2024]. https://wp.en.aleteia.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/04/web3-chrism-mass-blessing-oil-godong-fr563155b.jpg?w=640&crop=1

Archdiocese of St. Louis. (2024). Why confirmation matters [Image]. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZTTZKXQwUxdKqrgQ8qFX4vqYblxZes9pOcDeEqqwcQA&s

Catechist. (2024). Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit [Image]. https://www.catechist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/LI-mw1Xgc.jpeg

Catholic Answers. (2024). Encyclopedia [Chrism]. https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/chrism

Catholic Church. (2012) Catechism of the Catholic Church, https://www.vatican.va/

Church Times. (2014). Confirmation: Liturgical colour. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/

Davis, G. (2024d). RELG20003: Week 9: The Sacrament of Confirmation. https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/

Davis, G. (2024e). RELG20003: Week 9: The Sacrament of Confirmation. https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/

Davis, G. (2024f). RELG20003: Week 9: The Sacrament of Confirmation. https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/

Flame of Faith. (2024). Confirmation [Image]. https://flameoffaith.org.au/assets/uploads/confirmation-symbols-laying-of-hands.jpg

Flames of Faith. (2024). Confirmation [What are the symbolic actions of Confirmation?]. https://flameoffaith.org.au/

Oor, D. (2013). Confirmation - ordered to sacrifice [An emerging theology of Confirmation as Sacrament of Intiation]. retrieved from https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/

Smith, S. (2024). The fruit of the spirit painting [Image]. https://i.etsystatic.com/7479337/r/il/4747c2/870567753/il_794xN.870567753_tb8t.jpg

The Catholic Faith Store. (2023). What gifts are received at Confirmation? [Image]. https://b960748.smushcdn.com/960748/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Gifts-Holy-Spirit.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1

The Catholic World Report. (2024). A Word to Those Being Confirmed [Image]. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files.catholicworldreport.com/2018/04/barron_5.23-575x381.jpg

Van Sloun, M. (2020). The fruits of the Holy Spirit. https://thecatholicspirit.com/

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