CATHOLICS wanted!!!?

Question

I am writing a report and i need some ideas.
what have you learned from being a catholic & how will being confirmed help me grow spiritually.
thanks

xoxo

god bless :]

Answer 1

I'm a Catholic who joined the Church during college, which was a looooooong time ago. I converted because of my love of the Mass and the Eucharist. No other church brings me as close to God as the Catholic faith has done over the years.

To me, Confirmation helps you to understand that you are one in a long chain of believers who are standing with you in spirit. They may have passed on, but they are still a part of the Communion of saints, and they are supporting those of us on earth with their prayers in Heaven. You're a part of something beautiful and ancient, which makes you feel secure and happy.

It also gives you a sense of identity as a Catholic. You are a part of the Church and will benefit from its prayers and spiritual works. You have a home when other homes may no longer be there, and you will always have the love and support of your parish family.

God bless you on your Confirmation Day!

Answer 2

I am a brand new Catholic having been confirmed at the age of 30 two years ago. I am still studying the Faith, and I can say it has brought more joy and happiness to my life than I've ever had before. The Church has over 2000 years of wisdom; I've found that no matter what question I have about life, the Church has the answer. She teaches about dating, married life, finances, taking care of yourself, owning up to your responsibilities, being a part of the community, growing in love and faith of our Lord, etc. I could go on and on because there's just so much. I don't think I'll learn it all in my lifetime.

Confirmation is the step that gives you all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It's like having an internet connection to God, if you let it. Through prayer and study, you will learn how to live you life through God, letting Him guide and teach you. You will find that the closer you grow to Him and His Church, the happier you will be.

God bless, and take care.

Answer 3

Catholic I am, I am.

The Sacrament of Baptism is the First time the Christian receives the Holy Spirit.

It is usually through the parents Faith that the Baby is being Baptized in the First place.(so thank mom and dad)

So Baptism guides us to Confirmation with the help of our parents or relatives or friends.

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is the grown up child that wants to be better and knows the pitfalls of life and needs the Holy Spirit to guide them and be better and more alive.

At this time in their life the faith filled adult child with their free will helps them make a decision to be guided by the HS.

I think it is fabulous to know that God loves us enough to not abandon us in making right or wrong decisions.

When Jesus appeared to his diciples he said he was going away and they were sad but joyous because; he opened their minds and anointed them with the HS to continue his good works and miracles.

So more that 2000 years later that continuation is going on through the Holy Spirit and those who are alive with the mind opening HS.

Now if you believe in the Trinity as a Catholic does, It is one God but three divine persons. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I have received Sacraments and the most powerful one for me now today in my life is the Holy Spirit.

I speak to 100's of people and everything I do in my homilies and some seminars on God is from the gift of the HS. My homilies are considered fantastic. This is not me! I am a normal person with no background of greatness!! No miracles or physical healings, just good works, good words and a good guy that people remember.

But here is the idea;I release myself everytime I speak to the power of the HS. Of course I prepare for the homily but when I talk it is something spectacular.

The HS has helped me be a better person and see God in all people and all religions and almost all things. When things go bad in life I feel the decision making of the HS. This love helps me to make the right decision so I stay in full love with the Trinity and never hurt my brothers and sisters.

I'm excited for you. Let the Spirit Grow and dwell in you. God Bless you Forever! :-)

Answer 4

My Nana always told me that no matter where in the world I went, I could go to my church and my community would be there to welcome me. I have learned that she was right. I moved away when I married and I didn't know a soul, but people recognized me from Mass and approached me in the community to welcome me.
I have learned that my church and its rituals are a comfort in times of grief and tribulation. When I don't know what to do, the rituals soothe and comfort me by being familiar. When I am happy, the Mass allows me to celebrate.
I have learned that the liturgical year is a precious cycle that brings us through all the seasons and emotions of life.
By being confirmed you embrace this cycle as an adult. You stand up for yourself in front of the community and state that you have a relationship with your God that you share with your family and your friends.
My ancestors were persecuted for their faith just a few generations ago, so it is more precious to me. MY family risked a great deal to remain Catholic and their strength in faith strengthens me.
I sincerely hope my children come full circle with this and celebrate their faith.
Good luck with your report and blessings upon thee.
Beannachti.

Answer 5

I have learned that to those who have been given much, much is expected. I have also learned that the world hates us the worst. I think that when you are confirmed you will experience more attacks of a spiritual nature because technically you will be a "soldier for Christ" I have learned that our Mother Mary will help us no matter what and I have learned that when the Father looks down and sees his Catholic Children he sees his son.

Answer 6

To be honest, it won't help you one bit unless you're prepared to fully BE a good Christian. Confirmation does NOTHING for an unrepentant serial murderer. ^_^

Answer 7

you will get more love for the Cross and reverence and worship

Answer 8

Your short question requires a long answer. Here is the teaching of the Church on Confirmation.

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.89 For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."90

I. Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation


1286
In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped-for Messiah for his saving mission.91 The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism by John was the sign that this was he who was to come, the Messiah, the Son of God.92 He was conceived of the Holy Spirit; his whole life and his whole mission are carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit whom the Father gives him "without measure."93


1287
This fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah's, but was to be communicated to the whole messianic people.94 On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit,95 a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly at Pentecost.96 Filled with the Holy Spirit the apostles began to proclaim "the mighty works of God," and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be the sign of the messianic age.97 Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their turn.98


1288
"From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church."99


1289
Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name "Christian," which means "anointed" and derives from that of Christ himself whom God "anointed with the Holy Spirit."100 This rite of anointing has continued ever since, in both East and West. For this reason the Eastern Churches call this sacrament Chrismation, anointing with chrism, or myron which means "chrism." In the West, the term Confirmation suggests that this sacrament both confirms baptism and strengthens baptismal grace.
Two traditions: East and West


1290
In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a "double sacrament," according to the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons, the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The East has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptizes. But he can do so only with the "myron" consecrated by a bishop.101


1291
A custom of the Roman Church facilitated the development of the Western practice: a double anointing with sacred chrism after Baptism. The first anointing of the neophyte on coming out of the baptismal bath was performed by the priest; it was completed by a second anointing on the forehead of the newly baptized by the bishop.102 The first anointing with sacred chrism, by the priest, has remained attached to the baptismal rite; it signifies the participation of the one baptized in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ. If Baptism is conferred on an adult, there is only one post-baptismal anointing, that of Confirmation.


1292
The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ's Church.

II. The Signs and the Rite of Confirmation


1293
In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal.

Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy;103 it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds;104 and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength.


1294
Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off "the aroma of Christ."105


1295
By this anointing the confirmand receives the "mark," the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object.106 Hence soldiers were marked with their leader's seal and slaves with their master's. A seal authenticates a juridical act or document and occasionally makes it secret.107


1296
Christ himself declared that he was marked with his Father's seal.108 Christians are also marked with a seal: "It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."109 This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial.110
The celebration of Confirmation


1297
The consecration of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes the celebration of Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It is the bishop who, in the course of the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, consecrates the sacred chrism for his whole diocese. In some Eastern Churches this consecration is even reserved to the patriarch:


The liturgy of Antioch expresses the epiclesis for the consecration of the sacred chrism (myron) in this way: "[Father . . . send your Holy Spirit] on us and on this oil which is before us and consecrate it, so that it may be for all who are anointed and marked with it holy myron, priestly myron, royal myron, anointing with gladness, clothing with light, a cloak of salvation, a spiritual gift, the sanctification of souls and bodies, imperishable happiness, the indelible seal, a buckler of faith, and a fearsome helmet against all the works of the adversary."


1298
When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, as is the case in the Roman Rite, the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the profession of faith by the confirmands. This clearly shows that Confirmation follows Baptism.111 When adults are baptized, they immediately receive Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist.112


1299
In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:


All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you 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.113


1300
The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, "the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: 'Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti' [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.]."114 In the Eastern Churches of Byzantine rite, after a prayer of epiclesis, the more significant parts of the body are anointed with myron: forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chest, back, hands, and feet. Each anointing is accompanied by the formula (Signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti): "the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit."115


1301
The sign of peace that concludes the rite of the sacrament signifies and demonstrates ecclesial communion with the bishop and with all the faithful.116

III. The Effects of Confirmation


1302
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.


1303
From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:


it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";117

it unites us more firmly to Christ;

it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;

it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;118

it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross:119


Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.120


1304
Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the "character," which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be his witness.121


1305
This "character" perfects the common priesthood of the faithful, received in Baptism, and "the confirmed person receives the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and as it were officially (quasi ex officio)."122

IV. Who Can Receive This Sacrament?


1306
Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.123 Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that "the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time,"124 for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete.


1307
For centuries, Latin custom has indicated "the age of discretion" as the reference point for receiving Confirmation. But in danger of death children should be confirmed even if they have not yet attained the age of discretion.125


1308
Although Confirmation is sometimes called the "sacrament of Christian maturity," we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need "ratification" to become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of this:


Age of body does not determine age of soul. Even in childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book of Wisdom says: "For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years." Many children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood.126


1309
Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit—his actions, his gifts, and his biddings—in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.127


1310
To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.128


1311
Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents.129

Peace and every blessing!