The Rite of Confirmation

Purpose of confirmation: to give us the tools to go
on mission into the world as soldiers for Christ

“You have received the spiritual sign, the sign of
wisdom; God the Father has sealed you, Christ the
Lord has confirmed you and has given you the gift
of the Spirit in your hearts.” – St. Ambrose of
Milan

Prerequisites – 1) baptism 2) be in a state of grace

The Rite of Confirmation

Fill in the Blanks

The purpose of Confirmation is to give us the tools to go
on

into the world as soldiers for Christ

Multiple Select

What are the two 'prerequisites' to becoming Confirmed in the Catholic Church?

• have been baptized

• must have received the Eucharist first

• are in a state of grace (no mortal sin)

• must be at least 15 years old

•What are the names of three oils used in the sacraments? - sacred chrism,
oil of the catechumen, pure olive oil (anointing oil for the sick)

•Where are they found in a church? - an ambry

•Which one(s) is/are used in baptism? - sacred chrism, oil of the catechumen
(catechumen = someone not yet baptized)

•Renewal of baptismal promises

•The two together are sometimes called the “Double Sacrament'

•Laying on of hands - the Apostles did this:

•(Acts 8:17) – “Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit”

•Why wasn’t confirmation practiced until after Pentecost? - the Holy Spirit
hadn’t come yet

•Essentials

•*Form (words) – “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”

•*Matter = Sacred Chrism+laying on of hands

•Sacred Chrism = Olive oil mixed with balsam (aromatic plant)

•Consecrated by the bishop at the Chrism Mass – traditionally on Holy
Thursday

Elements of the Rite

Multiple Choice

Which materials (the 'matter' of the Sacrament) are used in the Sacrament of Baptism?

• Sacred Chrism

• water

• Oil of the Catechumen (pure olive oil)

• all of these are used

Multiple Choice

Review: All of the following Sacraments use Sacred Chrism oil except:

• Anointing of the Sick

• Confirmation

• Holy Orders

• Baptism

Multiple Select

Sometimes, people receive these two Sacraments at the same time when becoming a member of the Catholic Church. This term is called receiving a 'double Sacrament':

• Baptism

• Reconciliation

• Confirmation

• Marriage

Multiple Choice

All of the following are oils used in the Sacraments except:

• Sacred Chrism

• Oil of the candidates

• Oil of the Catechumen

• Pure olive oil

Match

Match the following requirements for a valid Confirmation in the Western/Roman/Latin Rite of the Catholic Church:

• "be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit"

• Sacred Chrism

• usually the bishop, a priest is the 'extraordinary'

form

matter

minister

• form

• matter

• minister

•*Minister – bishop (ordinary)

•Priest (extraordinary - not normally the one who does it

•during Easter Vigil (person receives all 3 sacraments)

•or when delegated by bishop (example – mission countries)

•Name – new identity in Christ

•Sponsor – fulfills same role as godparent

•Profession of faith – by the recipient and all
present

•Asking for seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

Elements of the Rite

Multiple Choice

When people are normally Confirmed in the Western/Latin/Roman Rite of the Catholic Church

• Easter Vigil

• Good Friday

• Holy Saturday

• Pentecost

Match

Match the following terms related to Confirmation

• a new identity in Christ

• fulfills role of godparent, guides the person in the process

• words that must accompany a valid reception of the Sacrament by the candidate/catechumen

name of a Saint selected

sponsor

profession of faith

• name of a Saint selected

• sponsor

• profession of faith

Significance of Chrism Oil in the Old Testament

●

God’s presence is called “sweet” in the Old
Testament (Psalm 9). Balsam has a sweet
smell, reminding us that God’s presence
brings about something extraordinary.

●

In the Book of Isaiah and in the Greco-Roman
world, oil ‘soothed wounds’ (Isaiah 1:6). It
was often used as a symbol of strength and
healing

Chrism and Rites

●

Roman (Latin) Rite

●

Baptism + Confirmation usually
separate

●

The Bishop is usually the celebrant

●

anointed on the forehead with Chrism

●

Why? - speaks of ‘kingly role’,
rooted in the New Testament

●

Eastern Catholic Rites

●

all three sacraments of Initiation →

●

priest is minister + emphasizes unity

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anointed on forehead, eyes, nose, lips, chest, back, hands, feet. Important note: in the West, usually forehead only

Chrism and Rites

Multiple Select

Review: What are the two Rites of the Catholic Church?

• Western/Latin/Roman

• Orthodox

• Eastern

• Protestant

Multiple Choice

Review: all of the following are considered Sacraments of Initiation except:

• Baptism

• Reconciliation

• Eucharist

• Confirmation

Multiple Choice

All of the following are differences between the two "Rites" of the Catholic Church as it relates to the Sacraments of Initiation except:

• Baptism and Confirmation are received at different times

• In the East, a priest is the ordinary minister

• In the West, a bishop is the ordinary minister

• the person receives Sacred Chrism on the forehead