Confirmation is the sacrament that allows the faithful to welcome the Holy Spirit into their hearts and receive his seven gifts: wisdom, understanding, advice, strength, science, piety, and fear of God. The importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation is too often underestimated. This happens especially among the youngest, who sometimes do not have the right tools to follow the path of Jesus.
Parents and godparents play an essential role in this. Thanks to them, the young Christian can understand what it means to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and confirm his love for Jesus. Continue reading the article and discover the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation.
Why is Confirmation necessary?
The journey of faith of every Christian begins with Baptism, the first sacrament that purifies the soul and marks the entrance into the religious community. And also in the house of God. With the path of catechism, the faithful have the opportunity to know Jesus. And His life and his teachings until reaching maturity to receive His Body and His Blood through the Eucharist. But it is with Confirmation that the faithful can perfect their role in the community. By confirming his journey began with baptismal grace.
For this reason, Confirmation is also called Confirmation since the faithful can confirm their faith in God. This sacrament gives us the Holy Spirit to root us even more deeply, to incorporate us in an indissoluble way to Christ, to make our bond with the Church, and take charge of the mission and witness of the Christian faith.
What is the true meaning of confirmation?
To explain the true meaning of confirmation, we want to borrow the words of Pope Francis. Who better than him can help us understand the importance of this sacrament?
Confirmation is indissolubly linked to baptism. Confirmation, baptism, and the Eucharist “ form a single salvific event, in which we are inserted into Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, and we become new creatures and members of the Church. This is why these three sacraments were originally celebrated in a single moment, at the end of the catechumenate journey, which was normally the Easter Vigil.”.
Its name, confirmation, “reminds us that this brings a growth in baptismal grace: it unites us more firmly to Christ; completes our bond with the Church; he grants us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith, to confess the name of Christ and never be ashamed of his cross.”
Pope Francis continues by saying: “For this reason, it is important to take care that our children, our young people,e have this sacrament. We all take care that they are baptised: and this is good! But perhaps we do not care so much that they receive confirmation: they remain halfway through ”.
The origins of the sacrament of confirmation
In the beginning, Holy Confirmation did not have a specific name and was identified with the rite with which it was administered, the imposition of hands. It was instead indicated with the Greek term ” seal” in Latin tenaculum consignation for a certain period. In doing so, we wanted to remember the sign of Christ, imprinted symbolically with holy oil on the forehead of the confirmed person at the beginning of the faith ritual. This meant the “property” of Christ over the person.
In the fifth century, the term confirmation became standard, which in Greek means confirmation, used to symbolise the completion and perfection of baptism. After confirmation, the faithful will be stronger and able to continue their path as Christians.
On the other hand, the confirmation ending comes in more recent times and indicates in part the gesture of anointing and, in detail, the material used to perform the motion of the chrism.
The Confirmation Ritual in the Catholic Church
In Catholic and Orthodox churches, the sacrament of confirmation is an instrument of grace. An opportunity for the faithful to ask for divine help to lead their lives as believers. It is one of the sacraments of Christian initiation, baptism, and the Eucharist. In the case of baptism, the faithful become part of the church, of the people of God. With the Eucharist, Jesus supports the path of the Christian toward the heavenly city. On the other hand, confirmation confirms the believer and his journey in faith and in being a witness to the word of God.
As the catechism taught us, we know that confirmation is what makes us perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus. This expression is linked to the ritual of the slap, a ubiquitous gesture in the military field. The Roman army used to give the alapa militaris a slap that symbolised the first wound, the bishop, from a slight slap on the right cheek. And one of the most identifying sacrament rituals.
The confirmation ritual in the Catholic Church provides that ” the sacrament of confirmation is conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion. Unless the Bishops’ Conference has determined another age or the danger of death. Or, in the minister’s opinion, does not suggest otherwise a grave cause. ”( Code of canon law of canon 891). The Confirmation ritual is straightforward but full of importance. Once the celebration is over, the Christian will have all the tools to profess his faith and become a spokesman for Jesus.
The best favours for confirmation
Like any critical event, Confirmation must also be celebrated with loved ones to rejoice together in this great gift received. It is now customary to gather with relatives and friends after the celebration to celebrate in communion. As always, on these occasions, it is a good practice to remember that attention should be placed on the sacrament and not on the buffet or gifts. What matters is sharing the moment of happiness.
Representation of the Sacrament of Confirmation
Source: visitationseremban.org
You might also want to know.
1. What is the sacrament of confirmation in the Catholic church?
In the Catholic Church, the sacrament of Confirmation represents the moment when Catholic Christians affirm their faith and their membership in the community of the Church and receive “the gift of God, the Holy Spirit.” Indeed, Confirmation is one of the sacraments of initiation, along with Baptism and First Communion.
2. Why is confirmation important to the family?
3. Why is confirmation necessary?
The sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the believer to affirm their faith publicly. This is a continuation of their baptism as children when parents and godparents confess their religion on their behalf.
4. What age confirmed the Catholic church?
In the Christian Catholic church, the confirmed age for the Sacrament of Confirmation occurs between 14 and 16 years old.
Conclusion
To thank loved ones for participating in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, tradition has it that the confirmed person offers a small souvenir to all the participants. So, at the end of the party, we always see the favours appearing: large, small, colourful, or functional. The choice can be tricky!
Have you organised everything for the big day, and are you missing only the little thoughts for the guests? On Amazon, you will find a wide selection of ideas: choose the perfect confirmation favours for your loved ones!
