Jowhanna
Sierra
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Finished recording
Hello there, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! We are glad to have you with us today to
explore the beauty of the sacrament of Confirmation. The sacrament of Confirmation is a
significant moment in the life of every Catholic, where the Holy Spirit’s gifts are made fully
accessible to us and our relationship with God is strengthened. We hope you could join us as
we discuss the sacrament itself, the rites involved, and its importance in the life of a Catholic
Christian. So, if you’re ready and willing to know more about this sacrament, please do listen
attentively.
The sacrament of Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation in the Catholic
Church, along with Baptism and the Eucharist. While Baptism welcomes us into the family of the
Church, and the Eucharist nourishes us spiritually, Confirmation completes this initiation. It’s
through Confirmation that we are fully initiated into the life of the Church, receiving the gifts of
the Holy Spirit to help us live out our faith more boldly and maturely.
Think of it as making a glass of chocolate milk. When you pour fresh milk into the glass, that is
Baptism, as you cannot have a glass of chocolate milk without milk. Baptism is the fundamental
sacrament that allows you to experience the benefits of other sacraments. When you pour
chocolate syrup into the glass, that is the Eucharist, as it adds flavor to the milk, just like how
the Eucharist strengthens the effects of Baptism. However, even with milk and chocolate syrup,
it is only milk and syrup until you mix them to turn it into chocolate milk. The process of stirring
the two ingredients represents the sacrament of Confirmation, which completes our initiation
into the Church and allows us to experience the Holy Spirit’s gifts in full in order to attain spiritual
maturity.
Now, let’s look at the rites of Confirmation. The sacrament usually takes place during a special
Mass, where the bishop is the minister who confers the sacrament. The most essential part of
the rite is the laying on of hands, which symbolizes the bishop calling down the Holy Spirit upon
the confirmand.
The bishop then anoints the candidate with holy chrism oil on their forehead, saying, “Be sealed
with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” This anointing is a sign of the confirmand being spiritually
strengthened, empowered to live as a witness of Christ. Afterwards, the bishop gently taps the
cheek of the confirmand to awaken the holy spirit.
This moment of anointing is a profound spiritual experience, marking the candidate with the seal
of the Holy Spirit. It’s an indelible mark that can never be erased and calls the person to
continue their journey as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
But what does this sacrament truly mean for us, and how does it apply in our daily lives?
Confirmation is about receiving strength to live our Christian calling more fully. It empowers us to
be bold witnesses of our faith, to deepen our prayer life, and to take on the responsibilities of
discipleship with courage. It’s not just a rite of passage—it’s an invitation to take ownership of
your relationship with God and share that faith with others.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and
fear of the Lord—are given to us in Confirmation. These gifts help guide us in our decisions,
strengthen us in times of difficulty, and inspire us to live out the Gospel through acts of love and
service.
In essence, Confirmation is not just about receiving the Holy Spirit; it’s about becoming a
stronger, more committed Christian. As you continue your journey of faith, remember that
Confirmation is a call to live out your baptismal promises with deeper conviction and a greater
sense of purpose.
We thank you for joining us in this meaningful discussion about the sacrament of Confirmation!
We hope that we were able to open your eyes to the beauty of this sacrament and inspire you
to pursue the Holy Spirit’s calling to you.
Always remember that God is always there for you. Until next time, brothers and sisters in
Christ!