LITTLE FLOWER PARISH CONFIRMATION REFERENCE GUIDE

Part 1: WHAT IS CONFIRMATION? LITTLE FLOWER PARISH CONFIRMATION REFERENCE GUIDE Confrmaton s the sacrament of ntaton that completes Baptsm and gves us the Holy Sprt n the fullness of hs gfts, thereby empowerng us to wtness to Jesus Chrst and contnue hs msson. (To be properly prepared for Confrmaton, the followng questons should be studed and memorzed.) 1. What s the meanng of the word Confrmaton? Confrmaton means makng strong or strengthenng. The work begun by our Baptsm s strengthened or completed by Confrmaton. 2. What s the sgn of Confrmaton whch s lnked so closely to grace? The sgn of Confrmaton s threefold: a) the mposton of hands b) the sgnng wth the cross c) the anontng wth holy ol Whle makng these sgns, the Bshops says, (Name) be sealed wth the Gft of the Holy Sprt. 3. What s the ol called? The ol s called Holy Chrsm. It s a mxture of olve ol and a perfume called balm or balsam; t s blessed by the bshop durng Holy Week. 4. What s the hstory of Anontng wth ol? Old Testament: Used n the consecraton of a kng. It sgnfed that the anonted one was set apart, marked or sealed for God. New Testament: Used to anont the body to strengthen and heal t. The sgnng wth chrsm s an outward sgn of the nteror strengthenng, settng apart and sealng of the Chrstan for God. The acton of the Holy Sprt begns n a specal way to work n the lves of the confrmed. In ancent tmes, especally n the Eastern churches, a lamp was kept burnng before the Holy Chrsm at all tmes to sgnfy ts sacredness. Confrmaton s called Chrsmaton, the sealng wth chrsm, n the Eastern churches. 5. What s the symbolsm of Anontng wth ol? Ol s used for the anontng because t adheres to the skn and s not easly removed. 24 August 2018 Page 1

CONFIRMATION SYMBOLS 1. RED: Lturgcal Color Symbolzes the flames of fre seen at the tme of the descent of the Holy Sprt on the dscples n the Upper Room n Jerusalem, as descrbed n the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. 2. DOVE The usual symbol of the Holy Sprt s the dove descendng, always wth the three-rayed numbus (crcle surroundng the head or body sgnfyng holness from the Latn word for cloud), whch ndcates dvnty. In a more general sense, the dove ndcates the power of God at work n men and women. 3. SEVEN DOVES ARRANGED AROUND A CIRCLE Ths arrangement symbolzes the seven gfts of the Holy Sprt as lsted n Isaah 11:2. Wthn the crcle are sometmes found the two captal letters SS, abbrevatons for the Sanctus Sprtus, Latn for the Holy Sprt. 4. TONGUES OF FIRE Symbol of the Holy Sprt at Pentecost (Acts 2:3), may be found n the form of separate flames of the head of each dscple or an overall arrangement of the seven tongues together. God appeared to Moses n the burnng bush (Exodus 3:2) and agan n fre and smoke on Mt. Sna (Exodus 19:18). 5. WIND Ths s an ancent symbol of the presence and power of God n the Old Testament. 6. WORDS Paraclete: Englsh form of the Greek ttle Parakletos (or Counselor), referrng to the Holy Sprt. Counselor/Advocate (Comforter): Counselor s the term used for the Holy Sprt by Jesus n the Gospel of John (John 14:16, 16:17) meanng one called to stand by one s sde n adversty. P: Peace be wth you. R: And wth your sprt. P: Be sealed wth the gft of the Holy Sprt. R: Amen. 24 August 2018 Page 2

THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Sprt s God, the Thrd Person of the Blessed Trnty, who dwells n us through sanctfyng grace. 1. What are the gfts of the Holy Sprt? Isaah 11:2-4 The gfts of the Holy Sprt are powers gven to us at Baptsm and strengthened at Confrmaton. They help us persevere n our frendshp wth God and gude us n our decsons and conduct so that we become more lke Jesus. The seven gfts of the Holy Sprt are: Wsdom Understandng Counsel/ Rght Judgment Knowledge Forttude/Courage Pety/Reverence Fear of the Lord/Wonder & Awe The gft of the Sprt that enables us to love the thngs of God and to see thngs from hs pont of vew. The gft of the Sprt that enables us to have nsghts nto our fath, to see the meanng of what God has told us about Hmself and hs creaton. The gft of the Sprt that leads us to seek advce about lvng a Chrstan lfe and enablng us to gve such advce. The gft of the Sprt that enables us to know the value of thngs through our past experences. The gft of the Sprt that gves us strength to do dffcult deeds for the love of Chrst. The gft of the Sprt that enables us to love and worshp God and respect hs people and all that he has created. The gft of the Sprt that enables us to recognze the majesty of God and marvel at hs love for us. 24 August 2018 Page 3

2. What are the fruts of the Holy Sprt? The fruts of the Holy Sprt show the effects of God s presence n us. In Paul s letter to the Galatans 5: 22-23 he lsts these fruts of the Sprt: Love selfless servce to others n word and acton Joy deep and constant gladness n the Lord Peace serenty and not overly anxous or upset Patence wllngness to endure lfe s sufferngs, dffcultes, and routne Generosty wllngness to gve to others even at a cost to yourself Kndness generous acts of servce performed wth compasson Fathfulness Gentleness Self-Control keepng your promses; beng dependable and trustworthy lovng atttude that leads one to be peaceful and gracous; refran anger dscplnng your physcal and emotonal desres by beng modest and respectful of others In the Catholc tradton, the Church has added: Goodness lovng others wthout excepton and dong food for them Modesty -helpng to guard our own bodes and the bodes of others as temples of the Holy Sprt Chastty safeguardng the use of one s sexual powers n accord wth our state of lfe 24 August 2018 Page 4

Part 2: BASIC TEACHINGS of the Catholc Fath 1. THREE THINGS NECESSARY for a SACRAMENT a) An outward sgn (b) of an nward grace (c) nsttuted by Chrst 2. MATTER AND FORM OF THE SACRAMENTS I n t a t o n H e a l n g V o c a t o n a) BAPTISM Matter s water poured over the person s head. The form s: I baptze you n the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprt. b) CONFIRMATION The matter s anontng wth Holy Chrsm on the forehead, whch s done by the layng on of the hands, and the form s: Be sealed wth the Gft of the Holy Sprt. c) EUCHARIST from the Greek word thanksgvng The matter s wheaten bread and grape wne. The form s: Ths s My Body; ths s My Blood. d) RECONCILIATION/PENANCE The matter s the confesson of sn and the request for pardon. The form s: I absolve you from your sns, n the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Sprt. e) ANOINTING OF THE SICK The matter s the anontng of the forehead and hands wth The Ol of the Sck. The form s the prayer pronounced for the pardon of sns. f) HOLY ORDERS The matter s the mposton of the hands of the Bshop. The form s the ordnaton prayer whch nvokes the Holy Sprt. g) MATRIMONY The matter s when the two people enact ther marrage vows n an expresson of love. The form s the exchange of vows. 24 August 2018 Page 5

3. THE BEATITUDES Blessed are the poor n sprt, for thers s the kngdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall nhert the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thrst for rghteousness, for they shall be satsfed. Blessed are the mercful, for they shall obtan mercy. Blessed are the pure n heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for rghteousness sake, for thers s the kngdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revle you and persecute you and utter all knds of evl aganst you falsely on my account. Rejoce and be glad, for your reward s great n heaven. (CCC 1716) 4. HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION IN THE UNITED STATES Solemnty of Mary, Mother of God We honor Mary, Mother of God Ascenson Jesus ascended nto Heaven Assumpton Mary was taken nto heaven, body and soul All Sants Day We honor all the sants n heaven Immaculate Concepton Mary was free from sn from the frst moment of her lfe. Chrstmas We celebrate the brth of Jesus. January 1 Forteth day after Easter or Seventh Sunday of Easter August 15 November 1 December 8 December 25 5. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD I am the Lord your God. You shall not have other gods besdes me. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, n van. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not kll. You shall not commt adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false wtness aganst your neghbor. You shall not covet your neghbor s wfe. You shall not covet anythng that belongs to your neghbor. 24 August 2018 Page 6

6. CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY Feed the hungry Gve drnk to the thrsty Clothe the naked Vst the sck Shelter the homeless Vst the mprsoned Bury the dead Admonsh the snner Instruct the gnorant Counsel the doubtful Comfort the sorrowng Bear wrongs patently Forgve all njures Pray for the lvng and the dead 7. VIRTUE [from vrtus - courage, excellence] an habtual and frm dsposton to do the good. (CCC1803); a good habt that makes t possble to act n a way that s pleasng to God. THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES help us relate to God from theos - God Fath the vrtue by whch we beleve n God and n everythng He has sad and revealed to us (CCC1814) CARDINAL VIRTUES help us relate to other people from cardo - hnge Prudence the vrtue that dsposes practcal reason to dscern our true good n every crcumstance and to choose the rght means of achevng t. (CCC1806) Hope the vrtue by whch we desre the kngdom of heaven and eternal lfe as our happness, placng our trust n Chrst s promses and not relyng on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Sprt. (CCC1817) Justce the moral vrtue that conssts n the constant and frm wll to gve ther due to God and neghbor. (CCC1807) Charty the vrtue by whch we love God above all thngs for hs own sake, and our neghbor as ourselves for the love of God. (CCC1822) Temperance the moral vrtue that moderates the attracton of pleasures and provdes balance n the use of created goods. (CCC1809) Forttude the moral vrtue that ensures frmness n dffcultes and constancy n the pursut of the good. (CCC1808) 24 August 2018 Page 7

8. THE MASS Lturgy of the Word Pentental Rte 1st Readng - from the Old Testament Responsoral Psalm 2nd Readng - from the New Testament Gospel Creed Prayers of the Fathful Lturgy of the Eucharst Offertory Consecraton Doxology Communon Dsmssal In the Mass, we celebrate the mystery of Jesus sacrfce of love on Calvary and the sacred meal, the Last Supper, n whch we receve hs Body and Blood. The Mass s the central act of worshp of our fath. The Mass s offered for: A adoraton C contrton T thanksgvng S supplcaton How can I wtness to my fath? I can do ths by knowng what Chrst taught and followng the commandments of God and the example of Jesus, and the teachngs of the Church. Where are the man truths of the Catholc fath found? They can be found n the Apostles Creed and n the Professon of Fath/ Ncene Creed. What are the Chef Mysteres of Our Fath? Unty and Trnty of God, Incarnaton of our Lord, and The Death and Resurrecton of Jesus our Savor 9. MARKS OF THE CHURCH a) The Church s one n that she professes one Fath. All Catholcs adhere to the same teachngs regardng the creed, sacraments, and morals. We are unted under one head, the Pope. (We are also one n that we recognze the authorty of the Pope as the Pastor of the unversal Church.) b) The Church s holy because her Founder, Jesus Chrst s holy. The Church s also holy because the am of her teachngs and sacraments s the holness of ts members. 24 August 2018 Page 8

c) The Church s catholc (unversal) because the Church ncludes all ages, races, natonaltes, and every tme perod. d) The Church s apostolc because her teachngs and governance can be traced back to the apostles n an unbroken lne of successon. a) One b) Holy c) Catholc d) Apostolc One n Fath and unted under one head, the Pope The Founder, Jesus Chrst s holy. The am of her teachngs and sacraments s the holness of her members. The Church ncludes all ages, races, natonaltes, and every tme perod Her teachngs are based on the teachngs of the apostles. Bshops are the successors to the apostles n an unbroken lne of successon. 10. FOUR MARIAN DOGMAS Immaculate Concepton (conceved wthout orgnal sn) (CCC508) Assumpton (taken to heaven body and soul) (CCC966) Perpetual Vrgnty (CCC496-507) Mother of God (CCC495;963) 11. SPECIAL LAWS (PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH) - Dutes of a confrmed Catholc The Precepts of the Church descrbe the mnmum effort we must make n prayer and n lvng the moral lfe. All Catholcs are called to go beyond the mnmum n growng n love of God and love of neghbor. 1. Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Oblgaton. 2. Lead a sacramental lfe by recevng the Eucharst frequently and the Sacrament of Reconclaton regularly. 3. Do penance and observe the days of fast and abstnence durng Lent. DAYS OF FAST (for adults 18-59 years old) one full meal not equalng two smaller ones; no eatng n between meals Ash Wednesday Good Frday DAYS OF ABSTINENCE (for all of those over 14) no meat at any meal Ash Wednesday All Frdays n Lent 4. Study Catholc teachng n preparaton for recevng the Sacrament of Confrmaton and to be confrmed. 5. Provde for the needs of the Church wth your tme, talent, and treasure. 6. Observe the marrage laws of the Church and gve relgous tranng to your chldren through word and example. Use parsh schools and catechetcal programs to assst you n ths responsblty. 7. Jon n the mssonary sprt and apostolate of the Church. 24 August 2018 Page 9