Confirmation 

The Sacrament of Confirmation

A sacrament in which the Holy Spirit is given to those already baptised in order to make them strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ. The sacrament of Confirmation is done usually in Year 6, school age. Confirmation is the Sacrament which “seals” or “reaffirms” our Baptism, as we take the final step in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church.

Why?

Christ himself declared that he was marked with his Father’s seal. Christians are also marked with a seal: “It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrolment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial.

What is involved?

It involves anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal. Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses. Oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength. Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. By this anointing the confirmed receives the “mark,” the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object.

Confirmation imparts

• An increase of sanctifying grace which makes the recipient a “perfect Christian”;
• 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.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. A further consequence is the spiritual relationship which the person confirming and the sponsor contract with the recipient and with the recipient’s parents.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Right Judgement
4. Courage
5. Knowledge
6. Reverence
7. Wonder & Awe

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit

1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self Control
12. Chastity

In our Parish, the Confirmation preparation for a child is done through the Catholic Primary Schools. Otherwise, if attending a Government school they are required to attend the Parish Catechism Class to prepare them as they receive the sacrament.

Please call the Parish Office on 9581 2061, or email catholicparish@westnet.com.au if you have any questions.