ST. GREGORY THE GREA T CATHOLIC CHURCH

Unleashing the Spirit: Preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation

“The Holy Spirit draws us into the mystery of the living God ... he impels us to open the doors and go forth to proclaim and bear witness to the good news of the Gospel, to communicate the joy of faith, the encounter with Christ. The Holy Spirit is the soul of mission.”

— Pope Francis, Homily on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013 —

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT CATHOLIC CHURCH 31 Saint Gregory Drive Bluffton, SC 29909

Phone: 843-815-3100 Fax: 843-815-3150 Email: [email protected] Welcome & Introduction

“I received Confirmation three years ago, and it was an incredible sacrament to experience. It was so amazing to experience because God, in His infinite mercy and understanding, has given the sacrament many visible signs for us to better understand the invisible happenings of the sacrament. As we are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the bishop quite literally seals us with Holy Chrism, which has so many meanings behind it. It symbolizes the new strength we are given in the sacrament and the distinguishable perfume symbolized the indelible mark on our souls. The Bishop also says the words aloud, which reverberated in my heart and still reminds me of the gift I received. I am very thankful to have been able to receive it.” — Liliana W. 11th grade, Homeschool What a powerful reminder from the ‘young Church’! The work of God in the mystery of the Blessed Trinity continually invites everyone and provides opportunities for all to be drawn into that very divine life. The more people are drawn into relationship with God, the more they are open to the work of the Holy [The Church] exists in order to evangelize, Spirit within them and through them. Through the Holy that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to Spirit, the faithful are charged with continuing the mis- be the channel of the gift of grace, to sion of Jesus Christ in and through the Church. That mis- reconcile sinners with God, and to sion, to proclaim the good news, is why the Church perpetuate Christ's sacrifice in the Mass, exists. Confirmation completes Christian initiation, which is the memorial of His death and seals one’s baptism, and strengthens one’s conviction glorious resurrection. so that they might faithfully live out the Good News — Pope Paul VI, throughout their life. Evangelii Nuntiandi #14 — The sacrament of Confirmation ‘is and does’ many things which will be discussed further in this booklet. Before addressing those topics, there is a need to address some of the common misconceptions about the reception of sacrament of Confirmation that have grown over the years. Some of the parents and sponsors can remember a time when the Bishop gave the student a mild slap on the cheek to prepare them to be a ‘soldier for Christ’. While the sentiment of standing firm in ones faith in Christ remains, the Bishop no longer uses that outward sign during the rite. Additionally, the sacrament of Confirmation does not suddenly make one an adult in the Church. It does not mean one is ‘graduating’ from religious education or that one is finished visiting the Church on days other than Sunday. Confirmation is not a merit badge from the Church that one earns through community service and reports about saints. With all that the sacrament is not, Confirmation offers significantly more. Continuing to grow in one’s faith, the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation will provide an encounter with God, an invitation to His divine life, a fullness of initiation into His Church, and offer to equip the recipient with gifts to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. All of this is promised by God and is given in full. The extent to which one receives, though, depends on the openness of the recipient. By submitting to the will of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to be unleashed within, the journey of faith produces the fruits of that same Spirit. St. Gregory the Great is privileged to be invited to accompany you on this part of your journey. The adventure of an authentic life in “...the sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the Christ leads to often unexpected and celebrant or the recipient, but by the power of God." From the glorious places but, “Remember: moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the Christ is calling you; the Church intention of the Church, the power of Christ and his Spirit acts in and needs you; the Pope believe in you through it...Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on and expects great things from you the disposition of the one who receives them. — CCC #1128 (Pope John Paul II)!” Encountering God

As we prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation it is important to understand what sacraments are and what they offer. “The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions (CCC 1131).” Such a full and beautiful explanation of sacraments houses a wealth of faith in a small paragraph. The sacraments are not magic, they are not illusions, nor are they silly rituals for the sake of going through the motions. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church beautifully states, the sacraments were instituted by Christ, they include signs which point to something more, they offer grace and they bear fruit in the recipient.

Each celebration of the sacraments is an opportunity to encounter God. “A sacramental celebration is a meeting of God’s children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit (CCC 1153).” This encounter takes place both in word and action so that God can more fully communicate his divine life to his people and draw them to himself. The sacramental encounter with God is a continuation of Christ’s earthly mission in and through the Church. “All that Jesus did during his earthly ministry he continues to do today through the sacraments – sacramentally – ‘by means of signs perceptible to the senses (Stice, 10).” These signs and symbols, specifically for the sacrament of Confirmation, will be discussed in a later section. Encountering God

“The sacraments are the work of the Trinity (13)...” Though “My encounter with God changed my life for the better.” during Confirmation we tend to focus most on the third person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit, the source of the graces — Macy S., 10th grade, John Paul II conferred are from God the Father and made present in the liturgy Catholic School by Christ. All of the signs and symbols of the liturgy, where most sacraments are celebrated, serve to make present the Paschal Mystery The Holy Spirit, then, “prepares the people of God to receive Christ by awakening faith, conversion of heart, and adherence to the Father’s will (13).” This action by the Holy Spirit is at the heart of Confirmation. Those receiving the sacrament of Confirmation are preparing for an awakening of faith through a conversion of heart by adhering to the Father’s will. Submission to the will of the Father allows the Holy Spirit to work within, transforming the old life, and be unleashed in the fruits of that new life. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come (2 Cor 5:17).”

So, where is the encounter with God in Confirmation? “Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in divine filiation [being a child of God], incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with Her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds (CCC 1316).” The sacrament of Confirmation both draws one more closely to God through Christ and his Church while simultaneously strengthening one to go forth in the mission of the Church. By receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit openly, allowing oneself to be transformed by the grace of the sacrament humbly, and unleashing the fruits of the Spirit unceasingly, the mission of Christ will be incarnate in the faithful. Mission impossible? “Nothing will be impossible for God (Lk 1:37).” Scriptures & Early Church Fathers

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him…After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’ (Matt 3:14, 16-17).”

Matthew’s Gospel tells the story of the baptism of Jesus. The baptism of Jesus reveals the descending of the Holy Spirit upon Him. In and through this action, the Spirit of God was united to Christ and remained with Him. Throughout the Sacred Scriptures we can see the movement of the Holy Spirit in the story of creation (Gen. 1, 2), inspiring the prophets, being united with Jesus Christ, descending upon the apostles, and working in and through the early Church. John’s Gospel, too, reveals the testimony of John the Baptist concerning this same event as he says, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the

one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God (John 1:32-34).” This baptism of the Holy Spirit speaks to the descend- ing of the Spirit upon the recipient of the sacrament of Confirmation. The scene at Pentecost is most often referenced when discussing Confirmation. The scripture powerfully highlights this section of Acts as, “The Coming of the Spirit (Acts, 2).” “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim (Acts 2:1-4).” The Pentecost event is the birth of the Church when the Spirit of God descended upon the apostles empowering them to go forth and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The imagery of the driving wind that is used in this section alludes to the, “heavenly origin of the Spirit…and with the fire’s division, its destination in all members of the assembly (Brown, 731).” The Spirit is freely given to all in the sacrament of Confirmation. As one receives the Holy Spirit and acts according to the will of the Father, great fruits can be seen. Additionally, in the Acts of the Apostles a scene with Peter and John in which the Spirit of the Lord (Is. 61:1) descends upon the people through the laying on of hands. Acts 8 reads, “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem hears 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…Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit (vv. 14-17).” Through the prayer and the laying on of hands, the power of the Spirit descended upon those who were open to receiving that Spirit. These verses also cite a precursor to the reception of the Spirit. Those who had received the Spirit had first accepted the word of God. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, article 59, reminds the faithful that the sacraments, “not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it.” Scriptures & Early Church Fathers

The early Church, too, wrote on imposition of hands and prayer along with anointing with oil. "[By] imposition of the bishop’s hands the Holy Spirit is given to every one that believes, as in the case of the Samaritans, after Philip’s baptism, the apostles did to them by laying on of hands [Acts 8:14–17]; in this manner also they conferred on them the Holy Spirit (Treatise on Re-Baptism, 3) (Confirmation)." The anointing with oil, as is done during the sacramental rite, historically can be found throughout the scriptures as well.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem writes, "[David says,] ‘You have anointed my head with oil.’ With oil he anointed your head, your forehead, in the God-given sign of the cross, so that you may become that which is engraved on the seal, ‘a holy thing of the Lord’ (Confirmation)." All of these signs, symbols, and actions are grounded in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and assist drawing the recipient into a closer and more accessible encounter with the divine. The Rite Way: From Visible to Invisible

Posture, response, environment, and matter all work together to make present the invisible reality to which all of the signs and symbols of the sacraments point. Enabling and deepening the potential encounter with God, the senses are stimulated because God speaks to man through creation. In the encounter, the invisible is made visible through the signs and symbols of the sacramental rite. The rite of Confirmation is celebrated within the liturgical context which draws recipients deeper into the Paschal Mystery. In addition to the signs and symbols present during every liturgy, the rite of Confirmation includes particular signs that point directly to the dignity of being called by God, the Holy Spirit, and the graces received in and through the sacrament. Typically, in the United States, Confirmation takes place after the reception of both Baptism and first Eucharist. The three sacraments of initiation: Baptism,

Eucharist, and Confirmation, are intimately connected for the fullness of initiation in the Church by the one who receives them. “When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, its connection with Baptism is expressed, among other ways, by the renewal of baptismal promises. The celebration of Confirmation during the Eucharist helps underline the unity of the sacraments of Christian initiation (CCC 1321).”

The Presentation of the Candidates After the Gospel reading the candidates for Confirmation are presented to the Bishop. Depending on the region and the number of candidates for sacramental reception, the priest, deacon, or other representative may present the candidates by individual name or as an entire group. Whether presented individually or the group as a whole, the symbolism of being presented before the Bishop and the community remains the same. God calls each one by name (Is. 43:1) and recognizes the individual dignity of the person being presented even if the group is called as a whole. The personal encounter with God does not cease simply because of the number of candidates present. Throughout the scriptures God called people by name and even changed some people’s names to better represent who they were. Candidates, too, take on a new name during Confirmation! This name they have chosen, and that the Bishop uses when anointing the candidate, is a reminder that the candidates belong to God and are committing to God. The name they have chosen is also a reminder of the commitment of the saints to which they desire to embody. The minister presenting the candidates attests to the preparedness of the candidates on behalf of the community and requests from the Bishop that the sacrament Confirmation be conferred upon the candidates. Following the presentation of candidates, the Bishop offers a homily on the readings (Rite of Confirmation within Mass.RM3 Revision). The Rite Way: From Visible to Invisible

The Laying on of Hands – Following the Bishop’s homily is the laying on of hands. The Bishop will stand before the candidates and invite the faithful present to pray for those who are to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. “Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit (CCC #1299).”

As was presented in the scriptures and by the early Church Fathers, the laying on of hands symbol- izes the conferral of the Holy Spirit. Though the touch of the apostles and, through apostolic succession, the Bishop, the laying on of hands makes present the prayer of the bestowal of the Holy Spirit in a way that engages the candidates and the faithful who are present. The Anointing with Chrism – The essential rite of Confirmation is the anointing with sacred chrism. As the bishop makes the sign of the cross with the sacred chrism on the candidate’s forehead, he speaks the formula, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The response by the candidate is, “Amen.” Following the sealing with the sacred chrism the Bishop offers the candidate the sign of peace which, concludes the rite of the sacrament [and] signifies and demonstrates ecclesial communion with the bishop and with all the faithful (CCC 1301).” (Rite of Confirmation within Mass.RM3 Revision) The anointing with sacred chrism has roots in the Old Testament when kings were chosen and anointed by God. Psalm 89, verse 21, “I have chosen David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him,” is a reminder that candidates are chosen by God and accept the anointing. Sacred chrism is typically, “a mixture of olive oil and perfume (usually balsam) (Miska).” The oil of anointing is scented with perfume, which engages the senses, as a fragrant aroma. As the words on anointing, “be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,” are spoken, the candidates are both sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the indelible mark of permanent character on their soul. This mark, which was also received at baptism, forever claims the candidate for Christ in his bride, the Church. From that moment forward, the seal of the Holy Spirit, the fullness of initiation, and the responsibility of discipleship rest upon the confirmed. Sponsor/Mentor

The role of the sponsor is one of utmost importance. Just as Jesus accompanied the two on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35), the sponsor must walk with and accompany the candidates during and after their journey toward the sacrament of Confirmation. The sponsor is a mentor and discipleship guide and must first be a disciple themselves. Evangelization through the authentic witness of discipleship is one of the main reasons for a sponsor. The sponsor helps prepare the candidates for sacramental reception and living as authentic witnesses to Christ themselves. “[How] we help teens and adults to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls to receive the grace of God fruitfully and then cooperate with that grace throughout life is every bit as crucial to the life and mission of the Church as making the sacraments available in the first place (Weddell, 114).” The sponsor must see his/her role in the greater context of evangelization. Just as Jesus first walked with the two on the road to Emmaus, the sponsor should initially engage the candidate on their terms and draw them into an encounter with God “Choosing my neighbor as my sponsor was one of the best over time. Jesus first walked with the two to their decisions in my faith life. She has always been there for destination, along the way he inquired, shared the me and my family, and is a continual light in my life. She is a wonderful mentor who gives great advice and shows scriptures with them when they were ready, recognized the love of Jesus through her actions. I think that the most the stirring in their hearts, and eventually He encountered important thing to look for when choosing a sponsor is them in a real and substantially present way. Their someone who will stand beside you and guide you in your encounter with Jesus could have looked very differently faith journey...I certainly chose the right person! if He had not respected their initial state of mind or life. — Alena D., 10th grade, John Paul II Catholic School The sponsor, too, must be aware of these stages of accompaniment and apprenticeship. In order that the sponsor might best accompany the candidate preparing, he/she must take on the role of mentor. Three skills in particular prove to be helpful for the sponsor/mentor to practice and witness to during and after the sacramental preparation process. These skills are most often placed in the context of preparation for liturgy, but can be practiced as skills incorporated into the faith life of lifelong disciples. First, the ability to attune oneself to God is imperative in the journey of faith. In order that one might be able to open to the power of the Holy Spirit unleashing within, attuning oneself to God helps to, “quiet the inner distractions and focus [oneself] on the Divine Other (Pauley, 121).” Though numerous distractions exist today, the ability and willingness to separate from those distractions will enable one to better listen and focus on the invitation of God. Next, uniting oneself to God allows one, “to enter more consciously and actively into the divine worship that sanctifies us (128).” This unity with God, through Christ, opens up the opportunity to encounter God in a sanctifying and transformative way. In doing so, the encounter imparts, “supernatural gifts that can propel [one] into holiness and a more dynamic living of [one’s] respective vocation “My sponsor, my Grandfather, shows me what it means to be a true, loving Catholic. He is very involved in his parish (128).” Finally, cooperating with the grace of God, makes and gives a lot back to his Church and community, which present the gifts of God in the fruits of their work. “For… has inspired me to volunteer at my own Church. Whenever effects to be fruitful for the person and the world, the I see him he always gives me advice on how to live life to sacramental recipient must knowingly receive and the fullest with God. He has always shown me how to live a cooperate with sacramental grace (129).” This skill is faithful life committed to the Church ad is a person I look most often left at the altar during and after the reception up to with great respect.” — Katherine R., 11th grade, John Paul II Catholic School of the sacrament of Confirmation. The sponsor must continue to accompany and mentor the newly confirmed after the reception of the sacrament. Ongoing Mission: Discipleship

“Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world… We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service (USCCB).”

The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is not the end, but the beginning. Confirmation is not graduation, it is initiation! From the closing of the Confirmation liturgy all the faithful are sent forth to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. With the newly received gifts of the Holy Spirit and the transformation through grace, the newly confirmed are charged with allowing the Holy Spirit to be unleashed within them so that they might continue to “Confirmation was a calling from God to challenge my faith and strengthen my relationship with Him. It is a powerful be, “missionary witnesses” that continue the work and experience that encouraged me to push my boundaries to do mission of Jesus Christ. The two who walked to and know more about Christ. God gave me His trust to fulfill Emmaus hopeless and downtrodden, they returned to my new path in life. Through Confirmation I realized the Jerusalem with great joy after their encounter with the signs that ensure my relationship with God.” living God. The newly confirmed are indicted as

— Jillian P. 9th grade, May River High School members of the Body of Christ and must assume the command to go and make disciples themselves.

The journey of faith is one that does not end until we return home to the Father. How different would the community look if there was true submission to the will of God and the work of the Holy Spirit within the lives of the newly confirmed? Unleashing the Holy Spirit is not a passive act, but one that requires a conscious choice and great labor. The work of the Holy Spirit is done by the Body of Christ. All who are fully initiated are now the hands and feet of that Body, the Church.

Lifelong discipleship must be rooted in, grown from, and continually renewed in the encounter with God. Parish programs, retreats, even mentors come and go in life, yet the liturgy is a constant. No matter where one might end up, the liturgy is the same prayer and offers the same invitation to encounter the Divine. “When it comes to discipleship, there is no better setting for it than in the font of the sacramental life of the Church…God is generously giving himself in the encounter of the liturgy. A fruitful life of discipleship becomes possible to an extraordinary degree when rooted in that encounter (Pauley, 189).” References

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