Samaria was known for its many characters, and one of whom was called Simon. He was famous for his practice of magic and had convinced many people that he was somebody great. Many people knew of the Israelites expectation of the Messiah, and perhaps they thought Simon was He, for they said: This man is that power of God which is called Great. They gave him heed because of his magical powers. In the early Church, shortly after the conversion of St. Paul, many Christians left Jerusalem because of persecution, and were scattered about preaching the word of God. Some, including Philip, went to Samaria, and preached the good news about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Many were converted, and were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized, he became a disciple working with Philip. Simon, seeing many real miracles was amazed. Now, in Jerusalem, the apostles heard that Samaria had received the word of God. Peter and John were sent to Samaria to pray over the newly baptized so that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen on any of them (even though they had been baptized in the name of Lord Jesus). They laid their hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. You too receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit at your confirmation, the same Spirit that anointed Jesus after His Baptism, when the heavens were opened up and the Spirit of God descended upon Him in the form of a dove, alighting upon Him. It was then that God declared from Heaven This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. This Spirit led Jesus into the dessert at the beginning of His public ministry as Prophet, Priest and King. In Confirmation, you are given the graces to live your public ministry in the Church, receiving the same graces as the Apostles at Pentecost. They received the Spirit in a rush of wind and tongues of flames enabling them to speak in tongues. So you too shall be filled with the courage and graces necessary to evangelize and witness to your faith, in devout faithfulness.
1. Who was famous in Samaria before the preaching of the Christians? Why? 2. Why did many Christians leave Jerusalem? 3. What did these early Christians do? 4. Who went to Samaria? What did he do there? 5. Did Philip s preaching affect many people? 6. Why did Peter and John go to Samaria? 7. How did the Holy Spirit come upon the newly baptized people? 8. When do you receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit? 9. Where else do we see the Sacrament of Confirmation in Scripture? 10. What does Confirmation enable us to do?
Confirmation is a difficult sacrament to explain. It s not about getting confirmed, but about a relationship with the Third Person of the Trinity. It s not about receiving the Holy Spirit, because you already received Him in Baptism. Confirmation, however, completes the Baptismal graces (CCC 1285). It is a Sacrament of Christian maturity (CCC 1308). This is the start of your Christian adulthood. You will grow in maturity during your entire life, but this Sacrament recognizes you as responsible for your faith. Confirmation more perfectly unites you to Christ (CCC 1309), and prepares you for a familiarity with the Holy Spirit, His actions, gifts and bidding (CCC 1309). The Sacrament of Confirmation more perfectly binds you with Christ s Church as well (CCC 1309) and all Her members throughout the ages. By your Confirmation, you will become a Christian witness (CCC 1304, 1317), a Soldier of Christ (CCC 1295) responsible for preaching and defending the truth faith. You will also accept for yourself the responsibility of continuing your education in the faith and practicing your religion (CCC 1295). In Confirmation, you will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit and His gifts, preparing you for your ministry and renewed commitment to Christ and His Church. This Holy Spirit is the Counselor promised to us by Christ Himself when He said, If you love me, you will keep my Commandment. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you (Jn 14:16-17). Jesus gave the Apostles His Holy Spirit after His Resurrection when He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22). We receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism when we are Baptized In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is the outpouring of this same Spirit, and all His gifts in their fullness, as when the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus after His Baptism in the Jordan, leading Him into His public ministry (Mt 3:13-17). At Pentecost the Apostles received the fullness of the Holy Spirit enabling them to evangelize and serve God in their public ministry (Acts 2). Through Confirmation, you too will be prepared for your public ministry (CCC 1304) as a soldier of Christ, teaching and defending the faith. You will receive all the gifts and graces necessary to bear the mark of Christ s witness (CCC 1304). You will be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1. What is the Sacrament of Confirmation about? 2. What does Confirmation do? 3. What does it mean to be a Christian adult? 4. In Confirmation, who do you become more perfectly united with? 5. What does a soldier of Christ do? Is this your ministry? 6. When did Jesus give His Apostles the Holy Spirit? When did you receive the Holy Spirit? 7. Where in the Bible do we see the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit? 8. Once you are confirmed, what responsibilities do you accept for yourself?
1. We receive a full out-pouring of the Holy Spirit as at Pentecost (CCC 1302) 2. We partake in Divine Filiation (CCC 1303) - we are united more firmly to Christ - we receive an increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit - we are bound with the Church more perfectly - we are strengthened to spread and defend the faith - we are given the grace to confess the name of Christ boldly and never be ashamed of the Cross. 3. We are given an indelible (permanent) mark as a witness of Christ on our soul (CCC 1304). 4. We share more perfectly in the common priesthood, which helps us to profess our faith publicly and officially for ourselves (CCC 1305).
In Confirmation, you will be anointed with Chrism, as a sign of a seal placed on your soul (CCC 1293). This mark or seal is permanent. It marks you as a witness of Christ (CCC 1304). This mark gives your soul more nobility before the eyes of God. Seals were often used to close letters. Wax was dripped on a page, then a stamp would mark the wax showing the identity of the author. A seal on your soul would mark Christ s identity onto your soul, so you will share more fully in God s image. Sometimes seals were used to bind agreements or covenants. They would be broken in two, and one half would belong to each party. It was a symbol of unity. In Confirmation, you recommit yourself to your baptismal promises and your covenant with God. You publicly declare yourself God s servant and family. Seals were also used to mark identity, for example branding cows. It marked ownership. Your seal marks you as Christ s witness, you belong to Him and are His soldier. You will speak and defend the faith based on the Authority of Christ.
1. What are the four effects of Confirmation? 1. 2. 3. 4. 2. What does Divine Filiation mean? 3. What are seals used for (Three things?) 1. 2. 3. 4. What does the seal of Confirmation mark on your soul? 5. What seal will you receive in Confirmation? What will it mark you as?
In Confirmation, you will receive the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts help us to be holy. He brings us seven gifts: 1) WISDOM - Wisdom is the ability to see things as they really are. 2) UNDERSTANDING - Understanding means that your heart cares, listens and forgives. 3) KNOWLEDGE - Knowledge is the ability to learn the faith and know the truth. 4) COUNSEL - Counsel is the ability to make good decisions. 5) PIETY - Piety means we have a deep love for God and His creation. 6) FORTITUDE - Fortitude means we have the courage to do what is right. 7) FEAR OF THE LORD - This means that we understand the greatness of God and that He is very near to us. CONFIRMATION PRAYER Spirit of God, grant me: the gift of wisdom to see the world through your eyes, the gift of counsel to make difficult decisions, the gifts of knowledge and understanding to use my mind to know you and to love you, the gift of fortitude to have the courage to live in the faith despite difficulties and disappointments the gift of piety to be able to express my special love and commitment to you, and the right kind of awesome fear that makes me pause to wonder and revere God s Love. AMEN.
1. I pray my Rosary every day. 2. I see that my parents love me, even when they discipline me. 3. I forgive my friend for hurting my feelings. 4. I choose to practice piano before going out to play. 5. I won t tell a lie because I know that God hears everything. 6. I tell my friends to not make fun of someone. 7. I pay attention at Mass. 8. I studied hard for religion class and did well on a test. 9. I would not steal because I know it is a sin. 10. I choose to not stay over at a friend s house because I know I won t be able to go to Sunday Mass. 11. I learned about God s laws and the Sacraments. 12. I understand that my sister bothers me because she wants to spend time with me or needs my help. 13. I feel bad about homeless people. 14. I see the greatness of God in everything around me.
At Baptism, we receive the THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES. They come from God and help us to live in a way that is pleasing to God. This give God great glory and by living these virtues, we begin Heaven here on earth! There are three theological virtues: FAITH - to believe in God and all that He has told us. HOPE - to trust in all God has told us, and to want to go to Heaven. CHARITY - to love God and others, and serve them in love There are also four CARDINAL VIRTUES. They are call cardinal because they are the chief or head virtues. All other virtues come from these ones. For example if we live the virtue of prudence, we will also live the virtue of modesty. The Holy Spirit will help us to live the Cardinal Virtues as well. These virtues are habits of doing good. We need lots of practice and prayer to live these virtues. To live a virtue well, we need to also desire the virtue. So, if we make a good decision, but don t really want to do this decision, it is not really virtuous. So, for example, if I decide to say my Rosary every day, but I don t want to, there is little virtue in this act. But, it is important to continue the practice, because once it becomes a habit, it will become easier, and soon I will desire to practice this virtue! The four cardinal virtues are: PRUDENCE - to make good decisions. TEMPERANCE - To use the things around us well. JUSTICE - to give to others what they deserve. FORTITUDE - To always do the right thing, even if it s hard. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to grow in virtue, and to help you with each virtue, especially those you find hard to do.
1. Faith is trust in God and all He has told us. 2. Charity is to love and serve God and others. 3. Hope is to believe in God. 4. There are three cardinal virtues. 5. The Holy Spirit will help you to live the virtues. 6. It is better to want to do the virtue than to do the virtue because you should. 7. We receive the cardinal virtues at Baptism. 8. The Theological virtues come from God. 9. Prudence is to make good decisions. 10. Justice is to judge people. 11. Fortitude means to do the right things. 12. Fortitude is a gift of the Holy Spirit. 13. Temperance is to control your temper. 14. Virtues are habits of doing good. 15. You should pray to grow in virtue. 16. Theological and cardinal virtues are the same thing. 17. Virtues are always easy to do. 18. Virtues can become easier.
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? The Holy Spirit is God, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. We know this from the Bible, where Jesus commands His Apostles to baptize people in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. But Who is this Spirit of God? Well, The Trinity is like a family. The Father begets the Son. We know the Father from the Old Testament, and from what Jesus tells us about Him. The Father is the Father of Jesus. He is also the Father of the People of God through the covenant. The Son became Man in the Divine Person of Jesus. We know much about Him through the Gospels and the New Testament. The people of the Old Testament were preparing for His Coming. We know Jesus is God the Son because He tells us about His Father, God. Jesus also tells us about the Holy Spirit. He said that another Counselor (Jn 14:16) will be sent after He is gone. This Counselor is the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17) promised from of old. The Holy Spirit is the Paraclete (CCC 692). A paraclete is like a lawyer (defense attorney) or a judge. He will be with us at our final judgment before God. The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier (CCC 1303). He will make us holy. The Holy Spirit is the love between God the Father and God the Son. This love is so real that it is another Person. The Father and the Son together sent us the Holy Spirit. We first read of the Holy Spirit descending at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit brings life to the Church. The Holy Spirit bring grace to the Church through the Sacraments. Once we are baptized, we are temples of the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us. We receive the fullness of the Spirit and His gifts at Confirmation.
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? 1. Who is the Third Person of the Trinity? 2. Is the Holy Spirit God? 3. How is the Trinity like a family? 4. How do we know about the Holy Spirit? 5. What are Three names for the Holy Spirit? What do they mean? 6. What do we mean when we say that the Holy Spirit is the Love of God? 7. When do we first read about the Holy Spirit descending? 8. When do we receive the Holy Spirit? 9. When do we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit? 10 What does the Holy Spirit do in the Church?
At Confirmation, you must renew your Baptismal promises, and make a profession of faith (CCC 1298). Confirmation seals your baptismal commitment and covenant with God (CC 1205, 95-6). Do you reject Satan? And all his works? And all his empty promises? Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God s children? Do you reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin? Do you reject Satan, the father of sin and prince of darkness? Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? God, the all-powerful Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven our sins. May He also keep us faithful to Our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.
To be confirmed, three criteria must be met: 1. Those who have been baptized but are not yet confirmed. 2. They must be at the age of discretion (CCC 1307). This means that they must be ready and able to accept the responsibilities that come with Confirmation. 3. They must also be in the state of grace. It is good to go to Confession before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. 1. Your sponsor is usually and preferably a godparent (CCC 1311). 2. They must be a baptized and practicing Catholic. 3. You will want to choose someone who you can talk to about the faith, who will be a good model for you and who will take an active role as your sponsor.
Sacraments have two parts: the matter and form. The matter is the physical sign of the grace received and the form are the words said. In Confirmation, the Matter consists in the laying on of hands (CCC 1288) by the bishop (who is the ordinary minister and a sign of apostolic unity), or the priest (who is the extraordinary minister) (CCC 1290) and the blessing or anointing with Christ (CC 1300). The Form is Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1300, 1320). At your confirmation, you will be asked to renew your baptismal promises and to make a profession of faith (CCC 1298). The Bishop (or minister), extends his hands over the person or group as a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1299). He says: All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their help and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. (OC 25) The bishop with then anoint your forehead with chrism and lay hands upon you and say Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1300). The Chrism is consecrated by the bishop on Holy Thursday at the Mass of Chrism, usually at the cathedral or basilica (CCC 1297). He will then offer you the sign of peace as a sign of communion with both the bishop and the church (CCC 1301).
Chrism is a consecrated oil. It is consecrated by the bishop on Holy Thursday at the Chrism Mass (CCC 1297). Chrism is made up of balsam and olive oil (CCC 1289). Balsam is fragrant, it is a sign of the scent and sweetness of holiness. Olive oil is a sign of eternal life because olive trees do not die. Oil is significant for many reasons. Oil was used to limber athletes. This shows how as soldiers of Christ, we must be prepared at all times. Oil was used for healing wounds. Confirmation gives us the graces we need to overcome our wounded nature due to sin. Oil was used for nourishment in cooking. Confirmation nourishes our soul with sacramental grace. Oil was used for cleansing, to make something beautiful, healthy and strong. Confirmation does all these things to our souls! (CCC 1293) Oil was used throughout the Scriptures for prophets, priests and kings. In Baptism we came to share in this threefold ministry of Christ. We are prophets in that we speak the truth. We are priests by our worshipping God. We are kings by our inheritance to the Kingdom of God. (CCC 1294) In Confirmation we are strengthened in these ministries.
1. What is the Matter of the Sacrament of Confirmation? 2. What is the Form of the Sacrament of Confirmation? 3. Who is the ordinary minister? 4. What does he represent? 5. What is the oil used in Confirmation? 6. When is it consecrated? 7. What two things make this oil? 8. What do the two parts of this oil signify? 9. What was oil used for? How are these uses paralleled in Confirmation? 10. What was oil used for in the Scriptures? What does this mean for you?
There are twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is said that you can tell a tree by its fruits, well, in the same way, you will be judged by your virtues, actions and words. If you bear these fruits, people will know that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. CHARITY - Love of God and neighbor, acts of love. PATIENCE - To accept God s timing. KINDNESS - To be gentle and good to all you meet seeing Christ in them. JOY - To be filled and express peace and happiness that comes from God. PEACE - An acceptance of God s will in your life. GOODNESS - To always do the good and upright thing to be pleasing in God s eyes. GENEROSITY - To give of yourself as though you were giving to Christ Himself. GENTLENESS - To be obedient and submissive to God s will in all things. FAITHFULNESS - To believe, love, and serve God always. MODESTY - To act as God would want you to, in humility. SELF-CONTROL - To speak, think and act always in the presence of God. CHASTITY - Gift of self in a loving and holy way.
G F A I T H F U L N E S S Y C H M H W I G E N E R O S I T Y O F U O O P S E M G K I T Y F A I T H N D L A E N P O N S G O E I T J O D E Y T L T E O O D N O A P P O P E S S I F L R D W C H A R I T Y E R T P E C E A N L E F S O E G I A S Y I N O N N E E N R O F T I P C T J R C N E C S D T U R T Y F R E A U I E T S E S G M I T H I T U V N S T T R S P I E W T I E E S D I D T I L O A C O U N S E L O V E R I I R F L W I S D O M V O Y T N T N C I K I N D N E S S E R P S C U G E H F O R T I T U D E D I E E E H R S T H O N C H A S T I T Y L S C Y HOLY SPIRIT GIFTS: WISDOM UNDERSTANDING COUNSEL KNOWLEDGE COURAGE PIETY FEAR OF THE LORD VIRTUES: FAITH HOPE LOVE PRUDENCE TEMPERANCE JUSTICE FORTITUDE FRUITS: CHARITY PATIENCE KINDNESS JOY PEACE GOODNESS GENEROSITY GENTLENESS FAITHFULNESS MODESTY SELF-CONTROL CHASTITY
1. Who is your Patron Saint? 2. Why did you choose this Saint? 3. Write a brief history about this Saint. 4. Is there a prayer written asking this Saint s Intercession? Write it below.
Name: CONFIRMATION PRE-TEST A. Please write the correct answer to complete the following statements. 1. is the Supreme Being who is all-good, all-loving, all-powerful, infinite and eternal. 2. is one Person who has two natures: one human, one divine. 3. is God s self-communication to mankind; God making Himself known to us. 4. Man is made in the image and likeness of God, and has a unity of a, which is a physical being with abilities, and a, which is the spiritual being. 5. is the name of the first sins committed by Adam and Eve, which is passed on to all people and washed away at. 6. is the Savior, the Redeemer, the Son of the Father, the Second Person of the Trinity. 7. is the term used to describe Jesus as a divine person taking on humanity and being born of the Virgin Mary having been conceived by the Holy Spirit. 8. is the term which describes when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus during the Mass. 9. The four marks of the Church are:,,, and. 10. is a habit of doing good. B. Select the best answer to the question. 1. Mary is the: 2. The theological virtues are: a) Immaculate Conception a) faith, justice and temperance b) Assumption b) temperance, patience, fortitude c) Mother of God c) hope, love and fortitude d) All of the above d) faith, hope and love 3) The Trinity is: 4) Pick the answer that would make a sin a) One God in Three Persons not be mortal: b) Three Gods in One Person a) full knowledge that it is a sin c) Three Persons and Three Gods b) full consent after thinking about it d) One God and One Person c) done by accident d) knowledge that the matter is grave 5) Which is not a precept of the Church? a) Attend Mass and Holy Days of Obligation b) Go to confession and receive communion once a year c) Support the Church, especially in one s own parish d) Attain a divorce before an annulment
C) Match up the columns: a) First Pope faith, hope, charity b) Cardinal works of Mercy one, holy, catholic, apostolic c) Gifts of the Holy Spirit living, souls in purgatory, souls in heaven d) Paschal mystery passion, death, resurrection e) Mystical Body of Christ Peter f) Cardinal Virtues Piety, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Wisdom, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord g) Spiritual works of Mercy Baptism, Confession, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of Sick h) the Gospels feed the hungry, give drink to thirsty, clothe naked, shelter homeless, visit sick and imprisoned, bury dead i) Theological Virtues counsel doubtful, instruct ignorant, admonish sinner, comfort sorrowful, forgive journey, bear wrongs patiently, pray for living and dead. j) Sacraments patience, justice, temperance, fortitude Matthew, Mark, Luke and John examination of conscience, contrition, resolve to sin no more, confession, penance D) Write the 10 Commandments. 1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10.
E) Fill in the chart below with the seven sacraments and their sign, action and grace conferred. Sacrament Sign Action Grace Conferred F) Arrange in order: The Nativity, Agony in the Garden, Ascension, Visitation, Crucifixion, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Coronation of the Blessed mother, Presentation, Carrying the Cross, Scourging at the Pillar, Resurrection, Annunciation, Finding in the Temple, Crowning with thorns, Assumption. Joyful Mysteries: Sorrowful Mysteries: Glorious Mysteries: