Written Report

in
Religious Studies

Submitted to: Ms. Ma. Teresa Retana

Submitted by: Julie Ann V. Bardaje
Thomas Velasco
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Confirmation- is the sacrament by which Catholics receive a special outpouring of the

Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit gives them the increased ability to
practice their Catholic faith in every aspect of their lives and to witness Christ in every
situation.

History

During the first several centuries of Christian history, when most of those who joined the
church were adult converts from paganism, the baptism of these adults and the ceremony
admitting them to the full rights of membership (equivalent to, but not yet called,
confirmation) probably coincided. Early Christian theologians, therefore, closely
connected the meaning and effects of confirmation with those of baptism. But as the
baptism of infants rather than of adults became customary, a sharper distinction between
baptism and confirmation became necessary. In those Christian churches where
confirmation is still observed, its connection with and its distinction from baptism influence
both the practice and the theological interpretation of the rite. (The Lutheran, Anglican,
and Reformed churches acknowledge baptism as a sacrament.)

The effects of Confirmation are as follows:

 An increased portion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, knowledge, right
judgment, understanding, courage, piety, and fear of the Lord
 A deepening and strengthening of the grace received at Baptism, which is
considered the presence of God in the soul
 A more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ
 A closer bond with the Catholic Church
 The ability to take a greater, more mature role in the Church's mission of living
the Christian faith daily and witnessing to Christ everywhere
 A special mark, or character, on the soul that can never be erased
Each person's ability to embrace these effects depends on his or her openness to the
sacrament and willingness to accept it as God's personal gift.

Who Can Receive Confirmation?

→In the Roman Catholic Church, Confirmation is usually administered to young people
in tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade who are ready to take on a more adult role in the
Church. These candidates for Confirmation, or confirmands, as they are called, were
usually baptized as infants and must now accept the Catholic faith as their own and
make a commitment to live it out with God's help. Most confirmands participate in one or
two years of preparation classes before receiving the sacrament. As part of that
preparation, each confirmand chooses a 'Confirmation name' (usually that of a favorite
saint), which indicates that he or she is ready to assume a new position in the
community.

Adults joining the Catholic Church also receive the sacrament of Confirmation after
baptism and a period of instruction. They, too, must freely accept the Catholic faith and
commit to practicing it at all times.

Any baptized person, even an infant, may receive Confirmation, and the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit that it provides, if he or she is in danger of death.

Formula:

Bishop or designated Priest:

“Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”

Matter:

“Holy Chrism (Blessed Oil) and the Laying on of hands by the Bishop or a delegated
priest.”
Laying on of hands
The Bishop stretches out his hand over the children and calls down the power of the
Holy Spirit. This is a profound gesture which is also used in other sacraments including
the anointing of the sick and ordination of a priest. This gesture is also used during the
consecration of the bread and wine at Mass, so that they become the body and blood of
Christ. In Confirmation, the Bishop or Priest calls upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit to
overshadow the person being confirmed.

Anointing with Oil

Chrism, which is a special oil blessed by the Bishop is used for anointing during the
confirmation ceremony. Anointing is a symbol of being called and strengthened for an
important task, which is derived from ancient times. In Confirmation, the person is being
anointed to go forth in life as a Catholic, as a disciple of Jesus, as a person of the Spirit,
with confidence and strength.

Formula
The bishop or priest performing the confirmation recites the words ‘Be sealed with the
gift of the Holy Spirit’. This symbolizes a legal contract when
signed and sealed is considered authentic and binding. To be sealed with the Spirit is to
be confirmed as a Christian believer.

White Garment
The person being confirmed usually wears a whit garments to symbolize their purity.

The Sign of Peace

At the end of the rite, the bishop puts his hand on the side of the candidate’s face and
says ‘Peace be with you’ and the candidate replies with ‘And with your spirit’,
symbolizing the candidate’s place within the Church community.