Confirmation {By Choice}

Last week we welcomed Bishop Tyson to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 24 local teens.

The Sacrament of Confirmation ushered these teens into full maturity as baptized Christians.  They are now considered adults in the Church and each is encouraged to take on active ministries, deepen his/her prayer life, and fully live out his/her faith in all areas of life.

Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are the three sacraments of initiation.

For most, Baptism is received before we have reached the age of reason; our parents together with our Godparents solemnly promise God to raise us and train us as faithful Christians and to support us in a lifelong journey toward heaven and make our baptismal vows in our stead.  We are set free from original sin and born again in the waters of our baptism.

Twin sisters receive the living water as they are baptized by Father Qui Thac.

When we reach the age of reason, or the age at which we can start to understand morality and form our conscience, we prepare for our first Confession (a sacrament of healing), and begin making regular use of the Sacrament of Confession to seek God's forgiveness (through the ministry of the priest).

After we have confessed our sins, we are further prepared to receive Jesus in the 

Holy Eucharist at our First Holy Communion.

Receiving first Holy Communion, the third Sacrament of Initiation

To complete our initiation as Christians, we seek the Sacrament of Confirmation sometime after our First Holy Communion.  In our diocese, most are confirmed during their high school years. {The universal norm prescribed by Holy Mother Church is to receive the Sacraments of Initiation in the order of Baptism-Confirmation-Communion, but She permits Confirmation and Communion to be reversed at the discretion of the local Ordinary (diocesan Bishop). In some Eastern Churches, Baptism, Confirmation (sometimes called Chrismation) and Communion (usually just called by the Greek "Eucharist") are all received soon after birth.}

We are instructed and formed in our faith during the time of preparation for Confirmation.  We are encouraged to continue to make frequent confessions to help us grow in holiness. We publicly declare our wish to be Confirmed (fully initiated) in the Catholic Church and renew our baptismal promises at Confirmation. The bishop lays his hands upon our heads and anoints us with the sacred chrism, the "form" of the Sacrament.

Joseph (as thurifer) assists Bishop Tyson with the incense, in preparation for the entrance procession at Confirmation Mass.

The Alleluia is sung in preparation for the reading of the holy Gospel.

Joseph (thurifer) with Bishop Tyson and Deacon Larry, at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist (the Offertory).

“No soul whatever is able to obtain salvation unless it has believed while it was in the flesh. Indeed, the flesh is the hinge of salvation. . . . The flesh, then, is washed [baptism] so that the soul may be made clean. The flesh is anointed so that the soul may be dedicated to holiness. The flesh is signed so that the soul may be fortified. The flesh is shaded by the imposition of hands [confirmation] so that the soul may be illuminated by the Spirit. The flesh feeds on the body and blood of Christ [the Eucharist] so that the soul too may feed on God. They cannot, then, be separated in their reward, when they are united in their works.” 

~Tertullian, The Resurrection of the Dead 8:2–3 [A.D. 210]

Bishop Tyson anoints with the sacred chrism, marking a soul for Christ in confirmation.

“Are you unwilling to be anointed with the oil of God? It is on this account that we are called Christians: because we are anointed with the oil of God.” ~Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus 1:12 [A.D. 181]

Choose confirmation!

Confirmation imparts:

• an increase of sanctifying grace;
• a special sacramental grace consisting in the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost and notably in the strength and courage to confess boldly the name of Christ;
• an indelible character by reason of which the sacrament cannot be received again by the same person.

What a gift!  

My son, Zachary (16), helped edit this post for clarity and accuracy.
I am grateful for Zac's desire and willingness to be a soldier for Christ; living his faith; teaching both by his example and by his words.  His knowledge of our Catholic faith never ceases to amaze me.  I have posted a new page (on our side bar) with Zachary's insights on Baptism and salvation, which may be of interest to some.

Early Christians' Quotes on confirmation from ChurchFathers.org