Question about Confirmation

[Lady_K2]

Annabelle Marie… your comments are intriguing! Can you explain a little more? I know that when it comes to the things of God and our encounters with Him, it’s not always easy to describe things in words but I would LOVE to hear more details from you.

 

[Phemie]

Everyone,

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I am starting to get it.

I guess what was confusing is that on the NewAdvent site (BTW, is that a good site to reference for Catholic beliefs?) it stated that Confirmation involves asking for the Holy Spirit to come down upon and indwell a previously baptized person.

So then I started to wonder if Catholic believe that the Holy Spirit is NOT in people who have only been baptized but not confirmed? Or… is the Holy Spirit indeed in baptized people but then the H.S. does something different at confirmation?

I am leaning towards the latter.

Oh, so here’s another question: Can a Christian have the GIFTS of the Spirit without having gone through confirmation? Or does Confirmation bestow the gifts?

I’m thinking you’ve been on the site of the “Catholic Encyclopedia”, a text that dates back to 1909, before the 1917 Code of Canon Law, and loooooong before the 1983 Code. While the doctrine has not changes, many of the laws have and much of what you may read there will no longer apply, simply because the laws of the Church (not divine laws) have changed in 102 years.

 

[Lady_K2]

Yes, it was the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Not sure I understand what you mean, though. I would think that on something like this, what the Catholic church teaches or believes should not really change, right? I mean, I’m hoping to be able to look at this particular teaching / practice and know that what Catholics believe today about Confirmation and the Holy Spirit has remained static througout the years.

But maybe I’m just misunderstanding your point… that’s totally possible.

 

[jmcrae]

Everyone,

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I am starting to get it.

I guess what was confusing is that on the NewAdvent site (BTW, is that a good site to reference for Catholic beliefs?) it stated that Confirmation involves asking for the Holy Spirit to come down upon and indwell a previously baptized person.

So then I started to wonder if Catholic believe that the Holy Spirit is NOT in people who have only been baptized but not confirmed? Or… is the Holy Spirit indeed in baptized people but then the H.S. does something different at confirmation?

I am leaning towards the latter.

Oh, so here’s another question: Can a Christian have the GIFTS of the Spirit without having gone through confirmation? Or does Confirmation bestow the gifts?

The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgment, Courage (also called Fortitude), Piety, and Awe (or Fear) of the Lord. It is one of three Sacraments of Initiation; the other two are Baptism (which is always first) and First Holy Communion (the only one of the three that is repeatable).

This is one of the more difficult Sacraments to really understand well.

 

[Phemie]

Yes, it was the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Not sure I understand what you mean, though. I would think that on something like this, what the Catholic church teaches or believes should not really change, right? I mean, I’m hoping to be able to look at this particular teaching / practice and know that what Catholics believe today about Confirmation and the Holy Spirit has remained static througout the years.

But maybe I’m just misunderstanding your point… that’s totally possible.

No, doctrine has not changed. But it would probably be better for you to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church than the site you’ve been going to as it’s much clearer. Read both the sections on Baptism & Confirmation and you’ll get a much better idea of what the Church teaches.

On the New Advent site you will often read about rules that have not been in effect for decades, but the doctrine is solid.

 

[TimothyH]

The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgment, Courage (also called Fortitude), Piety, and Awe (or Fear) of the Lord. It is one of three Sacraments of Initiation; the other two are Baptism (which is always first) and First Holy Communion (the only one of the three that is repeatable).

This is one of the more difficult Sacraments to really understand well.

It’s really quite simple.

Look at the disciples before Pentacost, cowering in the upper room with the doors locked out of fear. After Pentacost they preached boldly, without fear, with Peter going so far as to preach to the supreme Jewish council and Stephen not even afraid to die.

Confirmation is nothing less than our personal participation in Pentacost just like the disciples in the Book of Acts.

-Tim-