Sacrament of Confirmation

The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you." After saying this he breathed on them and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained." -- Jn 20:20-23

Confirmation is one's own personal Pentecost, the sacrament by which one is indelibly sealed to the Holy Spirit. Our journey with Jesus starts with the sacrament of Baptism. Confirmation, one of the sacraments of Christian initiation, completes the sacrament of Baptism, making our faith deeper and stronger.

Exactly as the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles on Pentecost, so comes the Holy Spirit to each one of us on our personal Pentecost at the time of our confirmation or chrismation.

Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: Confirmation strengthens one to join in Christ’s mission as His disciple...

• To be more firmly united to Jesus
• To be a witness to the faith by my words and actions
• To defend the faith and never be ashamed of the cross
• Our bond with the Church is made more perfect
• To serve others in need

The sacrament of confirmation marks the call to apostolic responsibilities for each one of us.

Confirmation is usually administered by a bishop. A priest can administer it in special cases.

Copyright © 2003-2005, SyroMalabar.com.  All rights reserved.