Sacrament Of ConfirmationSample

The Confirmation Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Getting confirmed marks the completion of the sacraments of Initiation for most Catholics (along with Baptism and Holy Communion).  It is a turning point in the life of faith for a Catholic believer and it confers on the one confirmed a special “character” and a deeper strength in the life of the Holy Spirit.

The Catechism says, “It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.” (CCC1302)  Our confirmation draws us more deeply into a life of faith: it roots us in our Fatherly relationship with God, unites us with Christ, increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us, grows our love of the Church and strengthens us as witnesses to share and defend the faith and proclaim the salvation of Christ, (see CCC1303).

Confirmation is a time of joy, hope and celebration and should be celebrated as such.  It is not simply a rite of passage, a ritual that in some way marks the transition to adulthood.  This can be an important element of confirmation but it misses the essential focus of deepening our faith and growing as a disciple.  It is our relationship with God that is strengthened through the reception of this sacrament so that we can be ever more effective evangelisers and kingdom builders.

The Church identifies seven particular gifts of the Holy Spirit that have a particular place in the conferring of the sacrament of Confirmation.  “The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Christians are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.”  (CCC1845).  Over the next seven days we will look in turn at a different gift of the Holy Spirit.