An Explanation of the Ceremonies and
of the Wonderful Effects of the
Sacrament of Confirmation
By
A Sister of Charity of Providence
THE CEREMONY OF CONFIRMATION
By studying the outward signs of the Sacrament of Confirmation we shall be able to get a better understanding of its wonderful effects on our soul.
When we have assembled in the church for the reception of this sacrament, the bishop, who is the ordinary person to confirm, since he is the leader in his own diocese, will turn toward those who are to be confirmed, and with his hands joined upon his breast, he will say:
“May the Holy Ghost come down upon you, and may the power of the Most High keep you from all sin. Amen.”
After another short prayer, he extends his hands over those to be confirmed. This signifies that sacramental grace is at that moment being imparted to each soul. He then addresses a solemn prayer to the Eternal Father, begging Him through Jesus Christ, His Son, to send His own Holy Spirit into our soul with all His gifts.
“O Almighty, Everlasting God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these Thy servants by water and the Holy Ghost, and who hast given them the remission of their sins, send forth upon them the Sevenfold Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, from Heaven. Amen. The Spirit of Wisdom and of Understanding. Amen. The Spirit of Counsel and of Fortitude. Amen. The Spirit of Knowledge and of Piety. Amen. Replenish them with the Spirit of Thy Fear and sign them with the sign of the cross of Christ, in Thy mercy, unto life everlasting, through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in unity of the same Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.”
Then the bishop pronounces the name of each person to be confirmed, and makes the sign of the cross with holy chrism on the forehead of each one, saying:
‘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 Ghost. Amen.”
This signifies that we are sealed as Jesus’ very own, and that upon our soul is imprinted an indelible character which will last for all eternity. The devils see that sign of the cross, and they tremble; for they know that by it we are to conquer them through the power that the Holy Spirit will be ever ready to give us when we ask Him.
The holy chrism with which the bishop signs us is composed of oil of olives and balsam, and is solemnly blessed by him on Holy Thursday. It is kept with great veneration in the church, and is used only in the consecration of such things as are set apart for the service of God, and which are dedicated and sanctified for Him. Bishops, churches, altars, and chalices are consecrated with this holy unction. Therefore, we as Christians, should understand that by this unction or chrism, with which we are signed in Confirmation, we too are solemnly consecrated and dedicated to God to be His temples forever; and that this outward unction is the visible sign of an invisible sanctification of our soul by the Holy Ghost. The mysterious mixture of oil and balsam denotes the wonderful graces of the Holy Ghost, and the effects of the sacrament in our soul. As oil is a smooth, mild substance, it represents that spirit of mildness and patience under the cross, which is one principal effect of Confirmation. The balsam, a precious plant from Eastern lands, whose fragrant, resinous juice soothes, heals, and saves from corruption, represents that special grace of Confirmation which preserves our soul from sin after it has been cleansed by Baptism.
After signing with the cross those who are to be confirmed, the bishop then gives a slight blow on the cheek, saying, “Pax tecum,” which means, “Peace be with you.” This signifies that henceforth the person confirmed is to be ready, like a true soldier of Jesus Christ, to endure patiently any kind of suffering for his faith, and that God’s peace will ever fill his heart in suffering and trouble. This blow also reminds him of that Gift of Fortitude which is increased in him at this time particularly, and which is proof against every cowardice.
When all have been confirmed, the bishop turns again to the altar and says the following prayer:
“O God, who gavest the Holy Ghost to Thy Apostles, and hast been pleased to ordain that by them and by their successors He should be given to the rest of the faithful; mercifully look down upon what we. Thy poor servants, have done, and grant that the hearts of these Thy faithful, whose foreheads we have anointed with Thy sacred chrism and signed with the Holy Cross, may by the same Holy Ghost coming down into them, and by His vouchsafing to dwell in them, be made the temples of His glory, who with the Father and the same Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.”
These ceremonies then end with the special blessing of the bishop.
