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Many of us grew up with the Baltimore Catechism's definition which provided the definition: "a sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace." Theologians, during the past forty or fifty years, have however broadened that definition.
Today, the Catholic understanding of the sacraments emphasizes the following considerations:
- Sacraments are first and foremost acts of praise and thanksgiving to God. God continues to touch our lives. Through the sacraments, He strengthens us, forgives us, nourishes us, calls us to a special love with another person, invites us to a particular ministry in the Church, and accompanies us into the fullness of life with Himself forever. We (the Church) respond with gratitude and worship.
- Sacraments are acts of the Church. They are Church celebrations, not private ones, or school ones or family ones. They belong in the realm of liturgy and worship and not a private devotion. They certainly do involve an individual's relationship with God ("give grace") but this occurs in a church setting.
- Sacraments involve the action of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Spirit. The Holy Spirit is acknowledged as the one who configures us to Christ (makes us Christ-like), sanctifies us, unites us with the Father, increases our faith and helps us to accept the gifts offered. In the language of former generations, He makes the sacraments "signs of salvation".
- Sacraments are celebrations of something that has already occurred. God has already shared His life with the adult or infant who was baptized. He has increased the life of His Spirit in the one who voluntarily presents himself or herself for Confirmation. He has forgiven those seeking reconciliation or healing or anointing and He has ratified the mutual covenant of love of those being married. We, as the Church, celebrate these acts of God, these gifts given to individuals - and praise and thank God. Sacraments are not "magic moments". They are celebrations of peak moments in the process of our sanctification by God. Moments when we are first made children of God and initiated into the Spirit-filled community of the church. Moments when we are forgiven, moments when we are nourished, moments when we are strengthened for married life or for ministry.
- There is an increased emphasis on the role of faith in the sacraments. Faith is involved just as importantly in the worship aspect of each sacrament, in the recipient's freely accepting God's offer of grace in a special life situation.
- The sacraments' effects involve both the sanctification of individual church members and the Church's ability to fulfill her mission. The increased holiness of one member strengthens the holiness of the whole Body of Christ just as the sin of one member weakens it. Holiness is a day-to-day thing. It is how we live our lives, how we talk, how we relate to our family, our friends, and to those we do not particularly like.
Finally, when we consider the sacrament of Confirmation, we need to recall that we are talking about one of the sacraments of initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism as a strengthening of the gift of the Holy Spirit received at Baptism. It is an aid both in living one's life in Christ and for God ... and for giving one's gifts and talents in service to others.
It transforms us, as it were, from "being-in-Christ" (which we are by virtue of our Baptism) to "acting-with-Christ" (with the power of His Holy Spirit). Confirmation emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to give witness to Christ by their lives and to enter fully into the ministry of Christ by sharing their gifts with others.
For those baptized as infants, confirmation allows for a personal, mature renewal of the promises of Baptism through a public profession of one's commitment to Christ and to the Church. It is for this reason that only those who freely choose to receive the sacrament should do so at a given point in their spiritual development.
The "Seal of the Spirit" associated with Confirmation refers to the confirmation of God's presence, the sign of a special relationship with Him, the mark of His own Spirit.
When considering confirmation, candidates must be able to answer the following reasons for wanting to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
- Do you go to church?
- Are you involved in your parish?
- Do you feel God's presence in your life?
- Do you pray?
- Do you understand the importance of Christian service?
- Which gift of the Holy Spirit do you feel that you need most at this time?
- How do you feel about receiving this sacrament?
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Young people from around the world will gather in Madrid Spain, summer 2011, to celebrate Jesus Christ.
Read more about WYD 2011>
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Visit our youth group section to find out information all about youth groups and youth ministry programs.
Visit our youth group section> |
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LIFE TEEN is an international Catholic movement that serves the Church by providing resources and faith experiences that help lead teens closer to Christ. This is accomplished through a vibrant Eucharistic spirituality and by creating widespread opportunities for teens to grow in their faith.
Visit Life Teen> |
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