n Saturday, Bishop McDonnell will be here to administer the Sacrament of
Confirmation to those who have been preparing for it for quite some time. This is a good time to recall what this Sacrament is.
First of all, a Sacrament is an action of God which was instituted by Jesus Christ in order to impart Grace to the one receiving it. Grace is the life of God. A person, who receives a Sacrament worthily, becomes a home for God Himself. Worthily means without serious sin on one’s soul. It also presumes freedom, meaning that the recipient wants God in his soul.
Confirmation is part of the Sacraments of Initiation. It completes the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism. It makes the newly confirmed into a more perfect Christian. Having received the strength of the Holy Spirit, one is able to be a true witness of the Faith. As such, he or she has the power to spread and to defend this faith. Christ promised the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit. We read in the Acts of the Apostles:
The Bishop uses sacred chrism, a fragrant oil, to seal the confirmand. This
signifies that the person is consecrated in Christ and therefore shares more
fully in the works of Jesus. As a matter of fact, the word chrism derives from
christ meaning anointed. This seal places an indelible mark upon the soul of the
newly confirmed person. This shows the recipient is fully initiated in Christ.
Even if one were to renounce their faith later on, this mark remains on the soul
as does the indelible mark received at Baptism.
Let’s remember this great gift that we received when we were confirmed and a which will be given to our kids this Saturday. May we remember that we have the means to lead others to Christ and also the power to defend Him. Let’s remember to pray for the ones about to be confirmed this week.
Father Stanley
First of all, a Sacrament is an action of God which was instituted by Jesus Christ in order to impart Grace to the one receiving it. Grace is the life of God. A person, who receives a Sacrament worthily, becomes a home for God Himself. Worthily means without serious sin on one’s soul. It also presumes freedom, meaning that the recipient wants God in his soul.
Confirmation is part of the Sacraments of Initiation. It completes the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism. It makes the newly confirmed into a more perfect Christian. Having received the strength of the Holy Spirit, one is able to be a true witness of the Faith. As such, he or she has the power to spread and to defend this faith. Christ promised the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit. We read in the Acts of the Apostles:
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (8:14-17)
Let’s remember this great gift that we received when we were confirmed and a which will be given to our kids this Saturday. May we remember that we have the means to lead others to Christ and also the power to defend Him. Let’s remember to pray for the ones about to be confirmed this week.
Father Stanley
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