The Sacrament of Confirmation by
Francisca Bambach and Gabriela Kast
The word confirmation, in its definition, is said to be Done,
proof, which confirms a thing.
It is a sacrament of some Christian churches that consists of the renewal and ratification of the vows of baptism as a symbol of renewal of one's faith, of active commitment to the church to which one belongs and of co-responsibility (together with the other members) with the mission of the church in the world.
This is the definition that can be found in the dictionary, and it only focuses on the general concept of being Confirmed. But in this article, we are going to talk about the Sacrament of Confirmation and its significance within our faith.
ORIGIN AND MEANING
Confirmation is the second Sacrament that the Church names and
that Jesus also instituted when he was on Earth. This sacrament helps us to
obtain grace, different from Baptism, since, with Baptism, we are children of
God and we receive the Holy Spirit. With Confirmation we ratify again that
grace that we receive and again we receive the Holy Spirit, as the scripture
tells us in
Acts. 8,14-16 "When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there, and prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”.
The only one who can perform the Sacrament of Confirmation is the
Bishop, this is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1312.
During the ceremony the anointing of the chrism is carried out on the forehead
as a sign of a pact, they are also imposed hands to receive the Holy Spirit,
just as the apostles mentioned in
Acts. 8,17 “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."
THE CEREMONY
During confirmation, the baptismal promises are renewed, and the
profession of faith is made. Then the Bishop extends his hands over those who
are confirmed and invokes the outpouring of the Spirit on them. According to
the apostolic tradition; Through the imposition of hands they receive the
Spirit, then the anointing of oil or chrism is made on the forehead and these
words are said, "Receive by this sign the gift of the Holy Spirit as a
seal." (Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1295) (the anointing of
chrism is a visible sign of the invisible gift).
2nd. Corinthians. 1,21-22 "Remember it is God himself who assures us all, and you, of our standing in Christ, and has 22 anointed us, ·marking us with his seal and giving us the pledge, the Spirit, that we carry in our hearts”
Who can receive this sacrament?
Every Baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive
this Sacrament of Confirmation (Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1306).
To receive this sacrament it is necessary to be in a state of grace, (Catechism
numeral 1310)
What do we reaffirm with the confirmation?
- They introduce us more deeply into the divine affiliation that makes us say “Abba Father” Romans. 8.15
- Confirmation gives us growth and depth to baptismal grace
- Unites us more firmly to Christ,
- Increase in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
- It makes our bond with the Church more perfect,
- It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith through word and deed as true witnesses of Christ. (Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1303).
And all this we can receive with the sacrament of confirmation.
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