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The Sacrament of Confirmation Study Guide

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The Sacrament of Confirmation Study Guide SAINT STANISLAUS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM 51 LANSDALE AVENUE LANSDALE, PA 19446-2972 215.855.9893 FAX 215.368.6627 WWW.STSTANISLAUS.COM THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION STUDY GUIDE 1) Who is a Christian? A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. 2) When did you become a Christian? I became a Christian at Baptism. 3) What kind of Christian are you? I am a Catholic Christian, a member of Saint Stanislaus Parish, whose pastor is Monsignor Joseph Tracy. 4) What is a Sacrament? A Sacrament is an action of Christ Himself, an outward sign of God’s grace and of our faith in Him. 5) What are the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church? The seven Sacraments are Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. 6) What is the purpose of the Sacraments? The purpose of the Sacraments is to sanctify us (bring us closer to Jesus), build up the Body of Christ (The Church), and to give worship to God. 7) Do Sacraments increase grace? Yes, Sacraments increase grace if we receive them with the right attitude. 8) What is “sanctifying grace”? Sanctifying grace is a gift from God, a sharing in His Life with us. It is God’s Holy Presence in us. 9) What are the Sacraments of Initiation? Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist are the Sacraments of Initiation because it is through these visible actions that a person becomes a member of the Church. 10) How are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist visible signs of initiation? Christians are reborn in Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation, and sustained by the food of the Eucharist. 11) What is Confirmation? Confirmation is the Sacrament in which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way to enable us to witness to Jesus Christ both in word and deed as committed Christians. 12) Who is the Holy Spirit who comes to us in Confirmation? The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Blessed Trinity. 13) Who is the First Person of the Blessed Trinity? God the Father is the First Person of the Blessed Trinity. 14) Who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity? Jesus the Son is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. 15) What is the mystery of the Blessed Trinity? The mystery is that there are three Persons in one God. 16) What is the mystery of the Incarnation? The mystery of the Incarnation is that the Son of God became a man and lived on earth like us. 17) What is the Paschal Mystery? The Paschal Mystery is the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. 18) What are the outward signs of Confirmation, which tell us how the Holy Spirit comes to us? The Bishop extends his hands over those to be confirmed and prays that they may receive the Holy Spirit; he anoints their foreheads with Chrism in the form of a cross. 19) What event does our Confirmation recall? It reminds us of when the Spirit came to the apostles at the First Pentecost. 20) When do we celebrate Pentecost? We celebrate Pentecost 50 days after Easter. 21) Describe the First Pentecost as found in the Acts of the Apostles. 22) What is Chrism? Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balm blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday; it is a sign of the strength the Holy Spirit gives us to witness Jesus and carry His message of love to all. 23) What does the Bishop say when he confirms? (Name), Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. AMEN. Peace be with you. AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT. 24) Why does the Bishop anoint the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross? He forms a cross to remind us that we must openly profess and practice our faith, never be ashamed of it, and rather die than deny it . 25) How often may Confirmation be received? Confirmation is received only once. 26) What is spiritual character? Spiritual character is an active power that helps the one who receives it to publicly profess and defend the faith. 27) What are the effects (results) of Confirmation? Confirmation increases sanctifying grace (God’s life in us) and imprints a spiritual character. 28) What other Sacrament may be received only once because it imprints a spiritual character? Holy Orders may be received once because it imprints a spiritual character. 29) Why should Catholics be confirmed? Confirmation strengthens us against the dangers to Salvation (temptations, sin) and prepares us to defend our faith. 30) What special preparations should we make to receive Confirmation? To prepare for Confirmation, we should pray, serve others, know the chief mysteries of our faith and the duties of Catholic Christian (the Seven Precepts). 31) Why are there sponsors at Confirmation? Sponsors are at Confirmation to present the person to the bishop for anointing. Sponsors are to help and support the confirmed person in their daily witness to Christ. 32) What is required to be a sponsor? The sponsor must be at least 16 years old, a practicing Catholic, already confirmed, and able to fulfill the responsibilities of a sponsor. 33) What does the word “Confirmation” mean? Confirmation comes from the Latin word, “firma”, meaning STRONG. It means to strengthen our Baptism and to be made strong in our faith as we really live it in word and deed. Basic Prayers The Sign of the Cross Lord’s Prayer Hail Mary Apostles’ Creed Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity Act of Contrition The Seven Sacraments Sacraments of… Initiation Healing Commitment/Vocation Baptism Penance (Reconciliation) Matrimony Holy Eucharist Anointing of the Sick Holy Orders Confirmation The Liturgical Seasons Advent Christmas Lent Holy Week Easter Triduum Easter Season Ordinary Time The Holy Days of Obligation Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God January 1 Immaculate Conception December 8 Ascension of the Lord 40 days after Easter Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary` August 15 All Saints Day November 1 Christmas – Nativity of Our Lord December 25 The Ten Commandments 1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. 4. Honor your father and your mother. 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. 10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. The Duties of Catholic Christians 1. To keep holy the day of the Lord’s resurrection: to worship God by participating in Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation; to avoid those activities that would hinder the renewal of soul and body. For example, needless work and business activities, unnecessary shopping. 2. To lead a sacramental life. This means to receive Holy Communion at least once a year between the first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation beforehand if a serious sin is involved. But this also means that all are urged and expected to receive these sacraments frequently. 3. To study Catholic teaching in preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed, and then to study and advance the cause of Christ. 4. To observe the marriage laws of the Church; to give religious training (by word and example) to one’s children; to use parish schools and religious education programs. 5. To strengthen and support the Church; one’s own parish community and parish priests; the worldwide Church and the Holy Father. 6. To do penance, including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the appointed days. 7. To join in the missionary spirit and apostolate of the Church. The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Wisdom – is the supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit which enables us to penetrate the meaning of the truths of our Catholic Faith. Counsel – is the supernatural gift which helps us to act as we know God would want us to act and to help others do the same. Understanding – is the supernatural gift which helps us to put the thought of God first in our lives and then to judge persons and situations accordingly. Knowledge – is the supernatural gift which helps us to use the works of creation according to God’s plan and for his glory. Fortitude – is the supernatural gift which leads us to undertake challenging tasks in the service of God and to suffer patiently the difficulties we meet in that service. Piety – is the supernatural gift which urges us to an affectionate and child-like worship of our heavenly Father. Fear of the Lord – is the supernatural gift which enables the believer to respect and to serve God as a loved child who does not want to offend his divine Parent.
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