From Scripture

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1)

“Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit […] All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

Prayer OverConfirmandi for the Gifts of the Spirit

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord

Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy

Spirit your freed your sons and

daughters from sin and gave them

new life.

Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be

their helper 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.

Effects of the Sacrament

  • Full outpouring of the Holy

Spirit as on Pentecost

  • Increase and deepening of

baptismal grace:

- Roots us more deeply in the

family of God

- Unites us more firmly with

Christ

- Increases the gifts of the

Holy Spirit in us

- Renders our bond with the

Church more perfect

  • Gives us the special strength of

the Holy Spirit to spread and

defend the faith

  • Confers an indelible mark on

the soul of the confirmed

"Are you unwilling to be anointed with the oil of God? It is on this account that we are called Christians: because we are anointed with the oil of God"

Theophilus of Antioch, A.D. 181

Fruits of the Spirit

LoveGenerosity

JoyFaithfulness

PeaceGentleness

PatienceModesty

KindnessSelf-Control

GoodnessChastity

Symbolic Value of Anointing with Oil

  • Oil is a sign of abundance and joy
  • Oil used to be used by athletes to limber muscles in preparation for a contest
  • Oil has been used to heal wounds
  • The scent of the sacred chrism reminds us that our lives should give off the “aroma of Christ”
  • Anointing (sometimes called chrismation) deepens your designation as a Christian, literally an “anointed one”

“The Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. […] Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1286