Jan Paul S. Lugtu Talk on Confirmation I. Meaning of Confirmation Christian parents help their children to grow in their faith.

When their children become adolescents, they also want to celebrate with them their growth in their faith and their change in self understanding within their Christian life. It is also a change from first initiation into the Church to a public declaration of full discipleship in the Church community in the sacrament of confirmation a. As a Sacrament of Christian Initiation Confirmation is one of the three celebrations towards Christian initiation. The two other sacraments are Baptism and the Eucharist. tican The rite of Confirmation includes our renewal of our baptismal promises prior to our being anointed with oil and our reception of the laying on of hands. The anointing and the laying on of hands symbolized the initiation into Christian adulthood and the becoming of active members in the community. b. Qualities of a Christian Witness Confirmation can be described in terms of two characteristics: closer union with the Church, and strengthening and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to actively spread the Faith. To spread the Faith, we need to be witnesses of it. The Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC) lists the following as qualities of a Christian witness: Personal knowledge, awareness, and experience of Christ in their daily lives; Strong and enthusiastic Christian convictions and active commitment to Christ and the Church; A basic grounding in Scripture, Church teaching and fundamental human experience; The human leadership qualities of honesty and integrity that inspire confidence and a following; The communication skills needed to present Christs challenge to the Filipinos of today in an attractive and persuasive manner; and The courage to suffer and risk for the Kingdom of God. c. The Role of the Christian Community Our presence as a church community that can truly celebrate Confirmation is essential. We need to ask ourselves if we can gladly welcome and joyfully initiate young people into our Christian community, thus encouraging them to become active Christians. Are we then a community of disciples who experience the Holy Spirit in our community life and live the missionary dimension of our Baptism? Then, we can celebrate Confirmation meaningfully.

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Symbols in Confirmation The symbolic actions of Confirmation are anointing with oil and laying on of hands. a. Laying on of hands This is the biblical gesture through which the bishop and the concelebrating priests invoke the Holy Spirit. It signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit empowering the recipient to promote the prophetic mission of the Church in the world. b. Anointing with oil In the Hebrew Scriptures, anointing signified healing, purification, and strengthening. Through anointing, one is called to share in the priestly, prophetic and kingly roles of Christ. The Rite of Confirmation a. Presentation of Candidates b. Homily or Instruction c. Renewal of Baptismal Promises d. Laying on of Hands e. Anointing with Chrism/Consecrated Oil f. General Intercessions

Reference: Catechism for Filipino Catholics. Manila: ECCCE, 1997. 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines: Acts and Decrees. Manila: CBCP, 1992.