WH Confirmation WHAT is it? Why should I come to Confirmation? When should I come? How should I come? I. What is Confirmation? Confirmation is a sacred rite, instituted and practised by the Apostles (Acts viii. 14-17, and xix. 1-6), and always continued in every branch of the Catholic Church unto the present day, in which the Bishop lays his hand upon those who have previously been baptized, that they may receive the full gift of the HOLY GHOST, and be admitted to all the privileges of the Church. At the same time those who are to be confirmed, of their own free will and with their own lips, acknowledge themselves bound to carry out, and undertake before the Church to carry out, the promises they made by their God-parents at their Baptism. Confirmation is therefore twofold. GOD_confirms or makes us strong with His HOLY SPIRIT. We confirm, that is, ratify in our own persons, and so strengthen our baptismal promises. We consciously and deliberately dedicate our lives to GOD'S service. GOD accepts our self-dedication, and gives us strength to fulfil what we promise. II. Why should I come to Confirmation? (1.) Because I have the warrant of Holy Scripture. I see from Holy Scripture that Confirmation was practised by the Apostles: St. Peter and St. John confirming the men of Samaria who had been baptized by St. Philip the Deacon (Acts viii. 14-17); and St. Paul confirming the disciples at Ephesus whom he had previously baptized in the Name of the LORD JESUS. I also find "the laying on of hands spoken of in the Epistle to the Hebrews (vi. 1, 2) as one of the "principles" (i.e. fundamentals) "of the doctrine of CHRIST." And further, I find the same holy rite referred to by the name of the 66 sealing of the HOLY SPIRIT” in Eph. i. 13, iv. 30, and other passages. 29 (2.) Because I find from Holy Scripture that GOD requires of us an outward and open profession of faith. "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of GOD" (Luke xii. 8). (3.) Because it is the rule of the Church into which I was admitted at my Baptism; and it is a matter of common sense and common honesty that, as long as I am a member of any society, and share in its benefits, I should comply with its rules. Confirmation has been a rule of every branch of the Catholic Church from the Apostles' days to the present. |