CONFIRMATION

THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

"Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:17

Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Christian's relationship with God is made stronger.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are strengthened.

Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. This final sacrament of initiation continues to lay the foundations of our Christian life that was begun in Baptism and continued in Eucharist.

Confirmation gives us a special grace and strength of the Holy Spirit by which our faith is deepened and strengthened. We are true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.

GIFTS & FUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

At Baptism, we receive seven special gifts from the Holy Spirit. These gifts are freely given to us to help us live as followers of Jesus and to build up the Church. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed and strengthened within us at Confirmation.

Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom helps us recognize the importance of others and the importance of keeping God central in our lives.

Understanding is the ability to comprehend the meaning of God's message.

Knowledge is the ability to think about and explore God's revelation, and also to recognize there are mysteries of faith beyond us.

Counsel is the ability to see the best way to follow God's plan when we have choices that relate to him.

Fortitude is the courage to do what one knows is right.

Piety helps us pray to God in true devotion.

Fear of the Lord is the feeling of amazement before God, who is all-present, and whose friendship we do not want to lose.

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

When we cooperate with the graces and gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit, we grow as followers of Jesus. We see the effect of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives in special qualities and attitudes that we develop as we grow in faith. The Church identifies these qualities and attitudes as the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit are signs that the Holy Spirit is alive within us and helping us live the Catholic faith in our daily lives.

Love I Joy I Peace I Patience I Kindness I Goodness I Generosity I Gentleness I Faithfulness I
Modesty I Self-control I Chastity