All families have special moments in life such as birthdays and graduations where they come together to celebrate and so too does the Catholic community through the Sacraments. The 7 Sacraments are distinctive to the Catholic faith and can be defined as “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace” where celebrating the sacraments is one of the most common and visible expressions of the Catholic faith. Sacraments are shared with others in the community celebrating the healing power and presence of God in high points of human life nourishing us spiritually, strengthening us and deepening our relationship, not only with God, but also with one another in the Church. The intention of Sacraments is to make the invisible (transcendent) God, visible in our lives through human experience by physically celebrating what we believe in our faith with the use of symbols,rituals and words (stories). Jesus Christ is the fundamental and primordial sacrament. In the flesh and blood of his human person, Jesus reveals God to us, brings us into contact with the mystery of God. The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God’s saving presence.
The seven sacraments are arranged into three groups; Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick) and Sacraments of Service (Marriage/ Matrimony and Holy Orders). It is important to recognise that not all Christian’s receive all of the sacraments as not all members of the Church get married, nor receive the Anointing of the Sick or Holy Orders. As a sacrament of initiation, Confirmation completes baptismal grace and empowers candidates to live the mission of the Church more readily.
THE ORIGINS OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
The three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist together constitute the “Sacraments of Christian initiation” (CCC 1285) and lay down the foundations of Christian living by initiating us into the Christian community, strengthening us in faith and virtue and providing us spiritual food and drink. The Sacraments of Initiation are intrinsically connected and build each other up by freeing us from the power of sin and strengthening us with an inpouring of strength of the Holy Spirit enabling us to carry out the mission of the entire people of God in the Church and in the world with strength and conviction. In the early Church all three Sacraments were received together in a single rite with a Bishop as the celebrant. However, when the bishop could no longer be present for all baptismal celebrations, Confirmation was administered at a later date.
The reception of the sacrament Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace….” By the sacrament of Confirmation [the Baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.” -CCC, no. 1285, citing LG, No. 11
Within Catholic Doctrine, Confirmation is regarded as the sacrament that 'seals' candidates with the gift of the Holy Spirit that strengthens their faith and relationship with God. For the faithful who were baptised as infants, Confirmation forms the completion of their initiation into the Body of Christ where they have a deeper understanding of their role in the mission and ministry of the Church. We as Catholics are called to understand that our identity does not come from money, possessions or social standing; but from this unique relationship with God through the Sacraments. By renewing the promises made during Baptism by the parents and Godparents, candidates now take responsibility for their faith and have a sure and certain knowledge that their identity as God’s beloved son or daughter, and a member of God’s family, is one that will last forever.
When one is confirmed, emphasis is place on the “special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost” (CCC 1302). Jesus offered this special strength and courage to allow the apostles to spread and defend their faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ. Catholics believe that these graces are received during the celebration of Confirmation. During the celebration the candidate receives seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the twelve fruits that are celebrated as human qualities that are strengthened and supported by the Holy Spirit.
RESOURCES
Research Task: What is the relationship between the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Click on the image below to be redirected to the Together At One Altar Website. Have students explore the website and write a response about the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation. There are several focus questions at the bottom of the website page to get you started.
Together At One Altar: Sacraments of Initiation
PhotoLanguage Task
Photos are symbolic, arousing emotions and speak to the viewer through a language that is relevant to the visually orientated. Using a PhotoLanguage set (Adapted from Cooney, J., & Burton, K. 1986) have students select 2 or 3 photos that show the world as a sacrament revealing the saving presence of God. In pairs or small groups have the students share the significance of their photos and justify their choice, describing how God is speaking in and through the chosen items. Remember, as with any PhotoLanguage activity students can reveal as much, or as little as they like in regards to their choices.