Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 2nd Sunday during Lent.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are seven (7) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation. The following is a reflection on article 1319.
For those who are not confirmed in infancy, as in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church, there are six (6) requirements for Confirmation identified in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Various Dioceses and Parishes often impose even further requirements.
The first requirement for the Confirmation of those not confirmed as infants is the attainment of the age of reason. This is normally recognized as being around seven (7) years or age, when one may discern right from wrong.
The second requirement for the Confirmation of those not confirmed as infants is the Profession of Faith. When infants are baptized and confirmed the faith is professed for them, on their behalf, by their parents and godparents.
The third requirement for the Confirmation of those not confirmed as infants is being in the “state of grace.” The saving waters of Baptism cleanse us of Original Sin. When we sin mortally after Baptism (doing something seriously wrong as made known by the Commandments of God and all their parts, knowingly, without coercion or willfully) we abandon the state of grace. Sin is an abuse of our free will. Living holy lives, thanks to God’s grace and mercy is to live in the freedom of the children of God (cf. Romans 8:21). In order to assume the responsibilities demanded by the Sacrament of Confirmation we should be well confessed. Blessed John Paul II (1978–2005) is said to have gone to Confession each week so as to be in a state of grace.
The fourth requirement for the Confirmation of those not confirmed as infants is to have the intention to receive the sacrament. Here the Church calls forth from those who are able to give consent to do so. No one forced God to make us or to redeem us. God has made us with free will and calls for our acceptance of His revelation to likewise be free.
The fifth requirement for the Confirmation of those not confirmed as infants is preparedness to assume the role of a disciple of Christ. Religious education programs in our Catholic Schools and Parish Schools of Religion (CCD) and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) all help those preparing for Confirmation to be ready to assume the role of discipleship. The disciples of Christ know Him and His teachings. Disciples of Christ know and love Him, His doctrine, His Gospel…
The sixth and final requirement for the Confirmation of those not confirmed as infants is preparedness to assume the role of a witness of Christ. Discipleship leads to witness. The Greek words martus, martur are the roots of our English word martyr and translate as “witness.”
Both discipleship and witness are carried out in the “ecclesial community” (the Church) and in “temporal affairs” (the world).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr