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Confirmation

Strengthened by the Spirit, Called to Action

Confirmation enriches the At Confirmation, our and At Confirmation, we receive the baptized with the strength of membership in the Body of gifts of the . the Holy Spirit so that they is confirmed, or strengthened. In the , the same Spirit that descended can better witness to Christ in In the of , we become new on during Baptism descends on the word and deed ( of members of the , but our at (CCC, nos. 1285- the [CCC], journey does not end there. The decision to 1287). The readings and homily we hear at no. 1285). Anointed by the be baptized is followed by continued growth, Confirmation remind us that this same Spirit Holy Spirit at Confirmation, learning, and witness as members of the Body is present to us today. At Confirmation, we strengthen their of Christ. Our desire to continue to grow receive diverse spiritual gifts that work together bond with the Church and and develop as Christians finds expression in for the “common good” and “the building up become better equipped to Confirmation, when we renew our baptismal of the Church, to the well-being of humanity carry out the Church’s mission promises and receive in a new way the gift of and to the needs of the world” ( John Paul of love and service. the Holy Spirit, which strengthens our “bond” II, Christifideles Laici[ The Vocation and the with the Church and its members (CCC, no. Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in 1316, and Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris the World], no. 24). At Confirmation, we pray Missio [On the Permanent Validity of the for an increase of the gifts of the Spirit in our Church’s Missionary Mandate], no. 26). own lives in order to serve the cause of justice and peace in Church and world. Confirmation connects us to a larger community. The Spirit moves us to imitate the love and service of Christ and the The relationship of the (who presides . over the Rite of Confirmation) with the church community in a given area reminds us of our In preparation for the of connection to the larger community of the Confirmation, we often perform many hours Church, which is global. Thus, Confirmation of service to help those in need. In doing reminds us that we belong to the Universal so, we practice love and service in imitation Church and to a local parish community of the saints whose names we often take (CCC, no. 1309). The sacred oil at Confirmation. Anointed at Confirmation, used during Confirmation points to the we are further strengthened to live lives that community’s sharing of the Spirit, since the give off “the aroma of Christ” as did the holy same oil is used during Baptism and to anoint saints (CCC, no. 1294). The sacred Chrism and during the Sacrament of is mixed with fragrant spices precisely to . Oil for the of the Sick symbolize this “aroma.” is also consecrated during . The The Holy Spirit pours love into our hearts symbol of oil reminds us of the action of the so that we can become “instruments of Holy Spirit upon us as members in the grace” in order to “pour forth God’s charity Church family. and to weave networks of charity” in the world (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate

Sacraments and Social Mission [Charity in Truth], no. 5). The Holy Spirit behalf of the poor and vulnerable, Confirmation calls us to share “harmonizes” our hearts with Christ’s promoting the life and dignity of every Christ’s mission to promote heart and moves us to love others human person. life and dignity. as Christ loved when he washed the The baptized, anointed by the Holy disciples’ feet and gave his life for us The Holy Spirit inspires us to Spirit, are incorporated into Christ, (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est action that includes who is , prophet, and king, and [God Is Love], no. 19). human development and called to share in his mission (CCC, work to end injustice. no. 1241). We share Christ’s priestly At Confirmation, we recommit The Holy Spirit inspires the work of mission by giving of ourselves daily in to participate in the Church’s evangelization, which includes work union with Christ’s supreme sacrifice on work and mission. not only for all peoples’ spiritual well- the Cross. As prophets, we announce Sealing with the gift of the Spirit at being, but also the evangelization of the Kingdom of God in both word and Confirmation strengthens us for ongoing systems and cultures (Pope John Paul II, deed and we witness to in service in the Body of Christ in the Redemptoris Missio, nos. 42, 65). The family, social life, and community, and Church and in the world. It prepares us Church’s missionary activity includes a in our commitment to human life and to be active participants in the Church’s “commitment to peace, development dignity. We share the kingly mission by mission and to “bear witness to the and the liberation of peoples; the rights seeking God’s Kingdom of justice in the Christian faith in words accompanied by of individuals and peoples, especially world. We do this when we overcome deeds” (CCC, no. 1316). Finally, the those of minorities; the advancement of the kingdom of sin, give of ourselves, Spirit sends us as workers in the vineyard women and children; safeguarding the recognize Jesus in “the least of these” and instruments of the Holy Spirit in created world,” and many other areas (cf. Mt 25:40), and work for justice renewing the earth and promoting of action in the world (Redemptoris and peace. God’s Kingdom of justice and peace. Missio, no. 37). All those anointed by the Spirit at Thus, Confirmation is not only an In addition, action inspired by the Baptism and Confirmation share Christ’s anointing, but also a commissioning to Holy Spirit calls us to “bear witness mission in Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit live out our faith in the world. We are to Christ by taking courageous and of the Lord is upon me, / because already called to mission by virtue of prophetic stands in the face of the he has anointed me / to bring glad our Baptism, but at Confirmation we are corruption of political or economic tidings to the poor. / He has sent me endowed with gifts of the Spirit (like the power.” The Spirit also “overcomes to proclaim liberty to captives / and Apostles in Acts 2) to be “ever greater barriers and divisions of race, caste, recovery of sight to the blind, / to let the witness[es] to the Gospel in the world” or ideology” and makes the Christian- oppressed go free, / and to proclaim (Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum on-mission into “a sign of God’s love in a year acceptable to the Lord” (see also Caritatis [Sacrament of Charity], no. the world—a love without exclusion Christifideles Laici, nos. 13-14). 17). As disciples and witnesses to or partiality” (Redemptoris Missio, Copyright © 2013, United States Conference of Christ in both Church and world (CCC, nos. 43, 89). Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. no. 1319), we are sent out to act on Permission is hereby granted to duplicate this work without adaptation for non-commercial use.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• Membership in the community. What does it mean • Mission in the world. What is the mission of the to be part of the Body of Christ? Church? What is your role in carrying it out? • Gifts of the Spirit. What gifts have you been To what are you commissioned? given? How are you called to use those gifts to • The witness of the saints. How do the lives of benefit others? the saints inspire you to “give off the aroma • Listening to God’s call. Who are you called to be? of Christ”? What are you called to do with your life?

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