Lesson Fourteenth of the Baltimore Catechism No. 2 examined the first of the sacraments, Baptism. Now, we turn to the second: Confirmation.
The Baltimore Catechism presents Confirmation in the Western practice; in the Eastern Church, Confirmation is performed immediately after Baptism, and is followed immediately by Holy Communion. Together, these three sacraments are known as the Sacraments of Initiation.
In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens us in the Faith.
The questions are numbered consecutively with Lesson Fourteenth. For more information and links to other resources, click on each question below.
A. Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.
A. The
bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation.
A. The bishop extends his hands over those who are to be confirmed, prays that they may receive the Holy Ghost, and anoints the forehead of each with holy chrism in the form of a cross.
A. Holy chrism is a mixture of olive-oil and balm, consecrated by the bishop.
A. In anointing the person he confirms the bishop says: 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.
A. By anointing the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross is meant, that the Christian who is confirmed must openly profess and practice his faith, never be ashamed of it, and rather die than deny it.
A. The bishop gives the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek, to put him in mind that he must be ready to suffer everything, even death, for the sake of Christ.
A. To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace.
A. Persons of an age to learn should know the chief mysteries of faith and the duties of a Christian, and be instructed in the nature and effects of this Sacrament.
A. It is a sin to neglect Confirmation, especially in these evil days when faith and morals are exposed to so many and such violent temptations.
