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Confirmation

1.    What is Confirmation?
ANSWER: Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Spirit to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.

2.    Who administers Confirmation?
ANSWER: The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation.

3.    How does the bishop give Confirmation?
ANSWER: The bishop extends his hands over those who are to be confirmed, prays that they may receive the Holy Spirit, and anoints the forehead of each with holy chrism in the form of a cross.

4.    What is holy chrism?
ANSWER: Holy chrism is a mixture of olive-oil and balm, consecrated by the bishop.

5.    What does the bishop say in anointing the person he confirms?
ANSWER: In anointing the person he confirms the bishop says: I sign thee with the sign of the cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

6.    What is meant by anointing the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross?
ANSWER: By anointing the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross is meant, that the Christian who is confirmed must openly profess and practice his faith, never be ashamed of it, and rather die than deny it.

7.    Why does the bishop give the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek?
ANSWER: The bishop gives the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek,
to put him in mind that he must be ready to suffer everything, even death, for the sake of Christ.

8.    To receive Confirmation worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace?
ANSWER: To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace.

9.    What special preparation should be made to receive Confirmation?
ANSWER: Persons of an age to learn should know the chief mysteries of faith and the duties of a Christian, and be instructed in the nature and effects of this Sacrament.

10.    Is it a sin to neglect Confirmation?
ANSWER: It is a sin to neglect Confirmation, especially in these evil days when faith and morals are exposed to so many and such violent temptations.

11.    Which are the effects of Confirmation?
ANSWER: The effects of Confirmation are an increase of sanctifying grace, the strengthening of our faith, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

12.    Which are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
ANSWER: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
          1.    Wisdom
          2.    Understanding
          3.    Counsel
          4.    Fortitude
          5.    Knowledge
          6.    Piety
          7.    Fear of the Lord.

13.    Why do we receive the gift of Fear of the Lord?
ANSWER: We receive the gift of Fear of the Lord to fill us with a dread of sin.

14.    Why do we receive the gift of Piety?
ANSWER: We receive the gift of Piety to make us love God as a Father and obey Him because we love Him.

15.    Why do we receive the gift of Knowledge?
ANSWER: We receive the gift of Knowledge to enable us to discover the will of God in all things.

16.    Why do we receive the gift of Fortitude?
ANSWER: We receive the gift of Fortitude to strengthen us to do the will of God in all things.

17.    Why do we receive the gift of Counsel?
ANSWER: We receive the gift of Counsel to warn us of the deceits of the devil, and of the dangers to salvation.

18.    Why do we receive the gift of Understanding?
ANSWER: We receive the gift of Understanding to enable us to know more clearly the mysteries of faith.

19.    Why do we receive the gift of Wisdom?
ANSWER: We receive the gift of Wisdom to give us a relish for the things of God, and to direct our whole life and all our actions to His honor and glory.

20.    In Confirmation the Church is setting us on the path to be Christ-like.  Through Confirmation, the person is assisted to live a life of beatitudes.  What are the Beatitudes?
ANSWER: The Beatitudes are:

  1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  2. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.

  3. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

  4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled.

  5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

  6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

  7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

  8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

21.    What are the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit?

ANSWER: The twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit are: 

  1. Charity

  2. Joy

  3. Peace

  4. Patience

  5. Benignity

  6. Goodness

  7. Long-suffering

  8. Mildness

  9. Faith

  10. Modesty

  11. Continency

  12. Chastity.

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