Why Have You Been Chosen - Sunday 11/14/2020

This week's lesson continues our conversation about the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit completes the grace of baptism and offers the newly confirmed strength as a true witness of Christ. Thus, the newly confirmed is “more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed” (cf. CCC, 1285). Thus, the Holy Spirit completes what was begun at baptism! 

As my students know, we are becoming SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST and AMBASSADORS TO THE KINGDOM in Confirmation! 

The gifts of the Holy Spirit associated with Confirmation are strengths (or virtues) that Christian living requires if it is to be fruitful and complete.

This week we also talked more about the Holy Spirit and its role in our lives, as well as in the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Students will be given a little quiz after Thanksgiving about the Sacrament of Confirmation. Here's what will be on our quiz. 
1.) The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit:          

• Wisdom 
• Counsel
• Understanding 
• Fortitude
• Knowledge 
• Piety 
• Fear of the Lord 

2.) What is confirmation, in your own words? 
3.) What are the symbols of confirmation and what do they mean? 

• Laying on of hands: The Bishop stretches out his hand over the children and calls down the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a profound gesture which is also used in other sacraments including the anointing of the sick and ordination of a priest. This gesture is also used during the consecration of the bread and wine at Mass, so that they become the body and blood of Christ. In Confirmation, the Bishop or Priest calls upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit to overshadow the person being confirmed.
  
• Anointing with Oil: Chrism, which is a special oil blessed by the Bishop is used for anointing during the confirmation ceremony. Anointing is a symbol of being called and strengthened for an important task, which is derived from ancient times. In Confirmation, the person is being anointed to go forth in life as a Catholic, as a disciple of Jesus, as a person of the Spirit, with confidence and strength.

• Words: The bishop or priest performing the confirmation recites the words ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’. This symbolizes a legal contract when signed and sealed is considered authentic and binding. To be sealed with the Spirit is to be confirmed as a Christian believer.
• The Sign of Peace: This Sign of Peace is used within the Confirmation ceremony as a sign of our unity and that we are one people of God, one body of Christ. When the bishop or Priest says ‘Peace be with you’ during the Confirmation ceremony or during Mass, he is saying it on behalf of the community to symbolize that we are all one with the Church.
  

If your child is learning virtually, please review Chapter 11 and 12 with him or her. I encourage you to have your child complete the weekly challenges that are featured in the chapters as well.