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A. Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost to make
us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.
A. The exact time at which Confirmation was instituted is not known. But as
this Sacrament was administered by the Apostles and numbered with the other
Sacraments instituted by Our Lord, it is certain that He instituted this
Sacrament also and instructed His Apostles in its use, at some time before His
ascension into heaven.
A. Confirmation is so called from its chief effect, which is to strengthen or
render us more firm in whatever belongs to our faith and religious duties.
A. We are called soldiers of Jesus Christ to indicate how we must resist the
attacks of our spiritual enemies and secure our victory over them by following
and obeying Our Lord.
A. One may and should add a new name to his own at Confirmation, especially
when the name of a saint has not been given in Baptism.
A. The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation.
A. We say the bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation because in some
foreign missions, where bishops have not yet been appointed, the Holy Father
permits one of the priests to administer Confirmation with the Holy Oil blessed
by the bishop.
A. The bishop extends his hands over those who are to be confirmed, prays that
they may receive the Holy Ghost, and anoints the forehead of each with holy
chrism in the form of a cross.
A. In Confirmation, the extending of the bishop's hands over us signifies the
descent of the Holy Ghost upon us and the special protection of God through the
grace of Confirmation.
A. Holy chrism is a mixture of olive-oil and balm, consecrated by the bishop.
A. In Holy Chrism, the oil signifies strength, and the balm signifies the
freedom from corruption and the sweetness which virtue must give to our
lives.
A. Three holy oils are used in the Church, namely, the oil of the sick, the oil
of catechumens, and holy chrism.
A. The form of prayer or blessing alone constitutes the difference between
these oils; for they are all olive oil, but in the Holy Chrism, balm is mixed
with the oil.
A. The holy oils are blessed at the Mass on Holy Thursday by the bishop, who
alone has the right to bless them. After the blessing they are distributed to
the priests of the diocese, who must then burn what remains of the old oils and
use the newly blessed oils for the coming year.
A. The holy oils are used as follows: The oil of the sick is used for Extreme
Unction and for some blessings; the oil of catechumens is used for Baptism and
Holy Orders. Holy Chrism is used at Baptism and for the blessing of some
sacred things, such as altars, chalices, church-bells, etc., which are usually
blessed by a bishop.
A. In anointing the person he confirms the bishop says: "I sign thee with the
sign of the cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
A. By anointing the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross is meant that
the Christian who is confirmed must openly profess and practice his faith,
never be ashamed of it; and rather die than deny it.
A. We must openly profess and practice our religion as often as we cannot do
otherwise without violating some law of God or of His Church.
A. We have good reason never to be ashamed of the Catholic Faith because it is
the Old Faith established by Christ and taught by His Apostles; it is the Faith
for which countless Holy Martyrs suffered and died; it is the Faith that has
brought true civilization, with all its benefits, into the world, and it is the
only Faith that can truly reform and preserve public and private morals.
A. The bishop gives the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek, to put
him in mind that he must be ready to suffer everything, even death, for the
sake of Christ.
A. It is not right to test ourselves through our imagination of what we would
be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ, for such tests may lead us into
sin. When a real test comes we are assured God will give to us, as He did to
the Holy Martyrs, sufficient grace to endure it.
A. To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of
grace.
A. Persons of an age to learn should know the chief mysteries of faith and the
duties of a Christian, and be instructed in the nature and effects of this
Sacrament.
A. We should know the Chief Mysteries of Faith and the duties of a Christian
before receiving Confirmation because as one cannot be a good soldier without
knowing the rules of the army to which he belongs and understanding the
commands of his leader, so one cannot be a good Christian without knowing the
laws of the Church and understanding the commands of Christ.
A. It is a sin to neglect Confirmation, especially in these evil days when
faith and morals are exposed to so many and such violent temptations.
A. By "these evil days" we mean the present age or century in which we are
living, surrounded on all sides by unbelief, false doctrines, bad books, bad
example and temptation in every form.
A. Confirmation is not so necessary for salvation that we could not be saved
without it, for it is not given to infants even in danger of death;
nevertheless, there is a divine command obliging all to receive it, if
possible. Persons who have not been confirmed in youth should make every
effort to be confirmed later in life.
A. Sponsors are necessary in Confirmation, and they must be of the same good
character as those required at Baptism, for they take upon themselves the same
duties and responsibilities. They also contract a spiritual relationship,
which, however, unlike that in Baptism, is not an impediment to marriage.
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