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Sacraments

Sacrament of Confirmation

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is"sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.

St Peter Paul - 2024 Confirmation_ffo.pdf

Sacrament Information: Confirmation

CONFIRMATION 7th GRADE CLASS

2025 Confirmation with Bishop Chylinski on Thursday, March 13 at 4:00 PM

God bless our children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation! It was a beautiful day! We are blessed that the day was captured in pictures and video for your families!

To order Confirmation pictures and/or to save the video link of Confirmation from prior year, please see the form listed. Each years Confirmation picture links which be posted after Confirmation.

Confirmation Overview - *This is to give you a guide. Please know that it is subject to change

Confirmation which will start promptly at 4 PM. We ask that the children are in the church hall in their seats by 3:00.

Confirmation Practice is mandatory for students and sponsors. Having someone missing throws the entire process off. Sponsors attend the last 45 minutes but are welcome to stay the entire time. if the sponsor can't make it, that is fine but we ask another adult to stand in at practice to fill the sponsor in as to what they say, do etc and forward them any emails that we send that pertains to them so they are comfortable at Confirmation with their role.

Some years there are space limitations due to the size of the Church, the number of Confirmandi and the desire for everyone to be comfortable. If this is the case, we will let you know and ask that each family if possible to bring no more than 9 people total.* *This number includes the sponsor and Confirmandi and can vary from year to year. In any case, if you bring more, please be mindful of the elderly and infirmed who need a seat.

After Confirmation, we ask all to remain seated until dismissed so the Bishop can get downstairs safely followed by the sponsors. The children will process out of church with the Bishop.

After pictures, sponsors can leave with the children from the side door in the church hall. Also, children and sponsors do not need to get their pictures taken. It is up to your family. There will be a photographer there if you would like to get family pictures. We ask that you do this after everyone has had their picture taken with the Bishop.

Confirmation is a special time for your child. Each time we receive a sacrament, we get closer to Jesus and receive His grace. The children and their families should use the time prior to receiving the Holy Spirit in Confirmation to reflect, pray, and open their hearts to what is about to happen. Therefore, we kindly ask everyone to please refrain from taking pictures and videos. There will be a professional photographer present taking pictures which you may purchase and each family will be given a link to a video of the Confirmation Mass. Photos being taken by multiple people is distracting to the children and detracts from the real reason we are there. If Confirmation is live streamed, it can be viewed from our parish website: https://sspeterandpaulrc.org/

Please visit and chat outside before you enter the church. From 3:45 AM on, please use the time to reflect on God’s goodness.

Gluten Free Host - If any child is gluten free, please let us know. In these scenarios, whomever is gluten free would go up the altar after everyone goes and wait on the right side of it until Father can get a low gluten host for them. This is the same for any guest.

Attire – Each child should have and wear the robe given to them. Boys are to wear dress pants, dress shirt and dress shoes. Girls are to wear a dress or skirt/blouse and dress shoes. NO sneakers or flip flops.

Come Holy Spirit,

Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

PREPARATION OF SCHOOL AGE CANDIDATES FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation should be guided in the study of this information. Although memorization is a helpful tool for learning, it is more important that the candidates understand both the questions and answers beyond what is stated. Questions and answers numbers 1, 3, 12, 14 and 15 would be a great benefit to the candidate if they are memorized.

What is a Sacrament? A Sacrament is a visible and effective sign instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church through which we share in God’s grace. (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church [hereafter CCC] CCC 1211)

2. What is God’s grace? God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, give sanctifying grace—God’s very life— with the reception of the Sacraments. This grace helps the baptized person to grow in faith, hope and love; to live fully the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to grow in goodness and Christian morality. (CCC 1266)

3. How many Sacraments are there? There are seven Sacraments. They include the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist; the Sacraments of Healing: Penance and the Anointing of the Sick; the Sacraments at the Service of Communion and the Mission of the Faithful: Holy Orders and Matrimony. (CCC 1210-1211)

4. How do the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist lay the foundation for living a Christian Life? Christians are born anew into Christ Jesus with Baptism, strengthened with his Holy Spirit with Confirmation, and nourished with the divine food of eternal life with the Holy Eucharist. (CCC 1212)

5. What is the Sacrament of Baptism? The Sacrament of Baptism is the door to all the other Sacraments. With the Sacrament of Baptism, a person is freed from Original Sin, reborn as a child of God, becomes of a member of Christ’s Body, the Church, and is given the promise of Eternal Life. (CCC 1213)

6. How does the Church carry out the Sacrament of Baptism? The sacred minister—Bishop, priest or deacon—immerses the candidate in water three times or pours water over the head of the candidate three times. At the same time he says, “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (cf. CCC 1239-1240) In case of emergency, anyone, even a nonbaptized person, with the intention of the Church, baptizes in the same way. (CCC 1256).

7. Does the Sacrament of Baptism impart an indelible mark on the soul? Baptism seals the new Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of belonging to Christ. No sin can ever erase this indelible mark. This is why the Sacrament of Baptism can never be repeated. (CCC 1272)

8. What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?

• The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism.

• With this Sacrament, a baptized person is more perfectly bound to the Church and receives a special strength of God, the Holy Spirit.

• With Confirmation, a person becomes a true witness to Christ, especially by spreading and defending the faith by word and deed. (CCC 1285)

9. Who is to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? Every baptized person should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation forms a unity with the Sacrament of Baptism and the Eucharist. (CCC 1306)

10. How does a person prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation?

• A person prepares for the Sacrament of Confirmation through prayer, study and a new commitment to the promises made at Baptism.

• This preparation aims to assist the candidate to have a more intimate union with Jesus Christ and the Church, to be even more ready to witness to the Gospel in every circumstance.

• This preparation also includes living in the state of grace, living without serious sin. So, the reception of the Sacrament of Penance is a part of this preparation.

• A Sponsor, often a godparent at Baptism, accompanies the candidate during preparation and the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. (CCC 1309-1311)

11. How does the Church carry out the Sacrament of Confirmation?

• The Bishop is the original minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation. However, at times, a priest may be delegated by the Bishop to administer the Sacrament.

• For the conferral of Confirmation, the candidates are presented to the Bishop, the Word of God is explained for a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation, the candidates renew their baptismal promises, the Bishop lays hands on the candidates calling upon God, the Holy Spirit, they are anointed with Sacred Chrism, and the rite concludes with the Universal Prayer (CCC 1297-1301, cf. The Order of Confirmation)

12. What is Sacred Chrism? Sacred Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam consecrated by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass which is typically celebrated on Holy Thursday morning. (cf. The Rite for the Blessing of Oils and the Consecration of Chrism)

13. What is essential to the rite of Confirmation? The Bishop anoints the forehead of the baptized candidate with Sacred Chrism. He does this with the laying on of the hand and the words, N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” The newly confirmed responds, “Amen.” In addition, the Bishops says, “Peace be with you.” The newly confirmed responds, “And with your spirit.” (CCC 1300, The Order of Confirmation)

14. What is the special strength of God the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is received with the celebration of every Sacrament. With the celebration of Confirmation, there is a unique outpouring of God, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. This is the same Holy Spirit that God, the Father, with God, the Son, poured upon the Apostles on Pentecost. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit has a real effect upon the person confirmed.

• There is an increase and deepening of all the effects of Baptism, especially the grace of Baptism;

• the newly confirmed is more profoundly a child of God, the Father, and more firmly united to God, the Son.

• The gifts of the Holy Spirit are more fully given.

• The union with the Church and all her members is more completely realized.

• There is the new strength to witness to Christ and his Church and to never be ashamed of the Cross. (CCC 1302-1303).

15. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. (CCC 1831, cf. The Order of Confirmation)

16.What are the Fruits of the Holy Spirit? The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control and Chastity. (CCC 1831)

17. Does the Sacrament of Confirmation impart an indelible mark on the soul? Confirmation, like Baptism, seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) which identifies the Christian as someone with the seal of Christ’s Holy Spirit as empowered to be his witness. This same mark indicates a completeness in the share in the common priesthood of Jesus to offer oneself and all things with Christ to his Father, especially in the celebration of Mass. (CCC 1304-1305).

18. What is the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist? The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus on the Cross that takes place on the altar at every Mass. It is the divine event of the very death and resurrection of Christ that happened in history and in every age for the redemption and salvation of all. (CCC 1323) The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist completes Christian Initiation. With the Sacrament of Baptism, a person receives a share in the common priesthood of Jesus. With the Sacrament of Confirmation, a person is more completely united to this common priesthood. Now with participation in the Holy Eucharist, a person joins with the other members of the Church celebrating Christ’s own Sacrifice and receiving his Body and Blood from this Sacrifice actually taking place. (CCC 1322)

19. How are the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation renewed? The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation are only received once. However, their effects in our Christian lives are renewed every Sunday with participation at Mass and the reception of Holy Communion. This is part of our obligation and duty to go to Mass every Sunday.

These questions and answers are provided as a supplement to other catechetical resources to assist parents, guardians, sponsors and catechists as they prepare candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Revised September 2018

Choosing a sponsor: Parents should guide their children when they pick as sponsor as the parents might be privy to information that a child wouldn't. When your child says his or her prayers, have them ask God to guide them in their decision. Some things to consider:

o Will this person guide your child's religious and spiritual journey?

o Is this person committed to the Catholic Faith?

o Is this person at least sixteen years old by the date of Confirmation

o Has this person received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist and of course be in good standing with the Catholic Church.

o A sponsor can't be a parent.

o Sponsor should attend the practice and Confirmation

o Choosing someone that you admire and respect who actively lives out the beliefs of our Catholic faith.

o This person should be someone that you trust and feel comfortable turning to for advice and guidance, especially in regard to your spiritual life.

Choosing a Confirmation Saint Name: Why do we need a saint’s name for Confirmation? Because Saints had incredible faith and trust in God even at a cost to themselves. We take their name and ask them to pray for us during our own faith journey. Pray and think about the kind of role model that you are you looking for.

o What qualities does your saint have that you desire?

o What kind of person are you hoping to be?

o Is there a saint that you relate to?

o Pick a few options and pray to each one for guidance.

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