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The
second sacrament of initiation
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
In my series of mystagogic reflections, having completed baptism, it is
time to focus on the second sacrament of initiation: confirmation. Even
though our practice in this Local Church is not to follow the sequential
order (baptism, confirmation and then first Communion — there are
dioceses where that is done), today’s column will review the sacrament
of confirmation. Next week I will cover thoughts on the third sacrament
of initiation, that is, the Eucharist.
In the earliest days of the Church, those who accepted the preaching of
the apostles were baptized with water and imparted the special gift of
the Spirit through the laying on of hands. According to Pope Paul VI,
“the imposition of hands is rightly recognized in the Catholic tradition
as the origin of the sacrament of confirmation.”
By the second century, confirmation was also conferred by anointing with
oil which came to be called Sacred Chrism. Citing the Acts of the
Apostles (Acts 10:33), the Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs:
“This anointing highlights the name ‘Christian,’ which means ‘anointed’
and derives from Christ himself whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit.”
The catechism states: “The post-baptismal anointing with Sacred Chrism
in confirmation ... is a sign of consecration ... those who are anointed
share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ” (No. 1294).
In the early Church, baptism and confirmation always involved the
bishop. He was considered the ordinary minister of both sacraments. But,
as the Church grew in membership, pastoral practice changed. When
bishops could no longer be present at all celebrations of baptism, they
chose to retain a role in the process of initiation by being the
ministers of confirmation. However, in our own time, there are
situations when a priest may administer the sacrament of confirmation:
in danger of death, to people entering the Church through the Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults, and in unusual cases when they are given
special delegation by the bishop. When there are large numbers to be
confirmed, the bishop may also invite priests to assist him in the
chrismation that is part of confirmation.
The sacrament of confirmation deepens our baptismal life and calls us to
be witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society and
the world. Through confirmation, our relationship with Christ is
strengthened. We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more
intense manner, with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ,
who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit, and the commission
conferred by the sacraments of initiation. What is that commission? I
like to summarize it in this way: We are expected to live our
Catholicism with enthusiasm; to proactively reach out to others,
inviting them to join us in professing the fullness of the Catholic
faith; and in taking the values of Jesus Christ in which we are formed
by the Church into our daily lives so, through us as missionaries, if
you will, the world in which we live can be transformed by the saving
power of Jesus Christ.
In confirmation, the Holy Spirit bestows seven gifts: wisdom,
understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety and fear of the
Lord. These gifts are bestowed to assist us in our witness to Jesus
Christ and empower us to live out our baptismal commission.
A question every confirmed adult should ask himself or herself is
whether he or she has been instrumental in bringing others into the
Catholic Church.
Wisdom enables the confirmed to see the world from God’s
viewpoint, which can help us grasp the purpose and plan of God. He
grants us a long-range view of history, examining the present in the
light of the past and the mystery of the future. Wisdom saves us from
the illusion that the spirit of the times is our only guide.
Knowledge directs the confirmed to contemplation, or thoughtful
reflection, of the mystery of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), as well
as of the mysteries of the Catholic faith. We are drawn to meditative
prayer, where we allow God to lead us while we rest patiently in the
divine presence.
Understanding stimulates the confirmed to work on knowing
themselves. When the Spirit pours fortitude or courage into our hearts,
we can trust that we will be prepared to stand up for Christ and the
Gospel when challenged.
Counsel or right judgment moves hearts and minds to the quiet
teaching that the Spirit gives about moral lives and the training of
conscience.
Piety or reverence is an act of respect for the Father who
created us, for Jesus who saved us, and for the Spirit who is
sanctifying us. We learn reverence for God and people from our parents
and others who train us in virtue. The Spirit fills us with this gift at
liturgy, as well as through popular devotions and piety.
Finally, fear of the Lord or wonder and awe in God’s presence
helps us infuse honesty into our relationship with God, a frankness that
places us in awe before the majesty of God. This gift also imparts an
attitude of grateful wonder that God loves us.
The effects of the sacrament of confirmation listed by the Catechism of
the Catholic Church (No. 1303) are these: Confirmation brings an
increase and strengthening of baptismal grace. It roots us more deeply
in the divine affiliation (becoming adopted sons and daughters of God)
which makes us cry, “Abba! Father!” It unites us more firmly to Christ.
It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. It renders our bond
with the Church more perfect. It gives us a special strength of the Holy
Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true
witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly and never to
be ashamed of the cross.
In summary, the sacrament of confirmation completes our baptism. It
empowers us to live out the assignment given to us by the sacraments of
initiation.
In this Local Church, it is customary to call those between the ages of
14 and 18 to receive the sacrament of confirmation. However, for a
variety of reasons, some fall through the cracks. Even though they are
practicing Catholics, they have never received the sacrament of
confirmation. For that reason, each year, there is a special adult
confirmation held in our cathedral church. This year that confirmation
will take place on Sunday, May 20. It is necessary for those seeking the
sacrament on that occasion to notify their parish church of their
intention to do so several weeks before May 20.
The connection between confirmation and baptism is reflected in the
choosing of a name by which the candidate will be confirmed. If their
given name is that of a saint, they may use that name. They may also
choose another saint. If their birth name is not that of a saint, then
the name of a saint is to be taken at the time of confirmation.
Confirmation is received but once. However, the graces of confirmation
become part of our lives, urging us to live our Catholicism with genuine
enthusiasm. |
