Ritual Structure
The sacrament of Confirmation is usually celebrated during the Eucharist after the Liturgy of the Word. There are six parts to the Confirmation ceremony. Rite of Confirmation:
Presentation of the Candidates
· At confirmation, candidates are called by name and presented to the Bishop/priest and community
· This is similar to Baptism, where the person to be Baptised is presented to the priest and community
Homily
· The priest/Bishop presents the homily which focuses on the importance of Confirmation
Renewal of Baptismal promises
· Candidates have the opportunity to renew Baptismal promises that parents made on their behalf at Baptism
· Renewal of Baptismal promises connects the sacrament of Baptism to the sacrament of Confirmation
Laying on of hands
· In fulfillment of Christ’s commands, the Apostles imparted to the newly Baptised by the laying on of hands the gift of the Holy Spirit to complete the grace of Baptism (St Mary’s, nd)
· The laying on of hands is used in Confirmation when God is asked to pour out the Holy Spirit to strengthen and anoint the candidate
· The prayer of imposition is then prayed over the candidate
Naming and anointing with Chrism
· In early times, priests, prophets and kings were anointed with oil as a sign of being chosen and set apart for special tasks
· Anointing symbolized strength and light (Parlato, 2012)
· It was placed on in the sign of the cross on the person’s forehead
Before being anointed with Chrism (olive oil combined with balsam) the sponsor places their right hand on the candidates shoulders as his/her Confirmation name is called out. This anointing highlights the name Christian which derives from the title messiah meaning ‘the anointed one’ (Richstatter, 2001).
Sign of peace
At the conclusion of the anointing, the Bishop gives the candidate the sign of peace using the words ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’. He then touches the candidates cheeck and says ‘peace be with you’.
Presentation of the Candidates
· At confirmation, candidates are called by name and presented to the Bishop/priest and community
· This is similar to Baptism, where the person to be Baptised is presented to the priest and community
Homily
· The priest/Bishop presents the homily which focuses on the importance of Confirmation
Renewal of Baptismal promises
· Candidates have the opportunity to renew Baptismal promises that parents made on their behalf at Baptism
· Renewal of Baptismal promises connects the sacrament of Baptism to the sacrament of Confirmation
Laying on of hands
· In fulfillment of Christ’s commands, the Apostles imparted to the newly Baptised by the laying on of hands the gift of the Holy Spirit to complete the grace of Baptism (St Mary’s, nd)
· The laying on of hands is used in Confirmation when God is asked to pour out the Holy Spirit to strengthen and anoint the candidate
· The prayer of imposition is then prayed over the candidate
Naming and anointing with Chrism
· In early times, priests, prophets and kings were anointed with oil as a sign of being chosen and set apart for special tasks
· Anointing symbolized strength and light (Parlato, 2012)
· It was placed on in the sign of the cross on the person’s forehead
Before being anointed with Chrism (olive oil combined with balsam) the sponsor places their right hand on the candidates shoulders as his/her Confirmation name is called out. This anointing highlights the name Christian which derives from the title messiah meaning ‘the anointed one’ (Richstatter, 2001).
Sign of peace
At the conclusion of the anointing, the Bishop gives the candidate the sign of peace using the words ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’. He then touches the candidates cheeck and says ‘peace be with you’.