Confirmation

THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION

Introductory Rites:

The celebrant greets the people: Peace be with you.

All: And also with you.

Opening Prayer.

Celebrant: Let us pray. God of power and mercy, send your Holy Spirit to live in our hearts and make us temples of his glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Celebration of the Word of God:

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John---14:23-26

At that time Jesus said, ‘Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make a home in him. Anyone who does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not my own: it is the word of the Father who sent me. I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you?’

The celebrant then gives a brief homily. He should explain the readings and so lead the candidates, their sponsors and parents, and the whole assembly to a deeper understanding of the mystery of confirmation.

Sacrament of Confirmation:

Renewal of Baptismal Promises.

After the homily the candidate stands and the celebrant questions him (her): Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises?

The candidate responds: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

Candidate: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Con, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

Candidate: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the lord, the giver of life, who came upon the apostles at Pentecost and today is given to you sacramentally in confirmation?

Candidate: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Candidate: I do.

The celebrant confirms their profession of faith by proclaiming the faith of the Church.

This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The whole congregation responds: Amen.

The laying on of hands:

The celebrant faces the people and with hands joined, sings or says: My dear friends; in baptism God our Father gave the new birth of eternal life to his chosen sons and daughters. Let us pray to our father that he will pour out the Holy Spirit to strengthen hes son (daughter) with hes gifts and anoint him (her) to be more like Christ the Son of God.

All pray in silence for a short time.

The celebrant lays hands upon the candidate and says: All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon him (her) to be his (her) Helper and Guide. Give him (her) the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill him (her) with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Response: Amen.

The Anointing with Chrism:

The celebrant dips his right thumb in the chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, as he says: N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The newly confirmed responds: Amen.

The celebrant says: Peace be with you.

The newly confirmed responds: And also with you.

General Intercessions:

The general intercessions follow, in this or a similar form determined by the competent authority.

Celebrant: My dear friends; let us be one in prayer to God our Father as we are one in faith, hope, and love his Spirit gives.

Deacon or minister: For this son (daughter) of God, confirmed by the gift of the Spirit, that he (she) gives witness to Christ by a life built on faith and love: let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon or minister: For his (her) parents and godparents who led him (her) in faith, that by word and example may always encourage him (her) to follow the way of Jesus Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon or minister: For the Holy Church of God, in union with N. our pope, N. our bishop and all the bishops, that God, who gathers us together by the Holy Spirit, may help us grow in unity of faith and love until his Son returns in glory: let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Deacon or minister: For all men, of every race and nation, that they may acknowledge the one God as Father, and in the bond of common brotherhood seek his kingdom, which is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit: let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Celebrant: God our Father, you sent your Holy Spirit upon the apostles, and through them and their successors you give the Spirit to you people. May his work begun at Pentecost continue to grow in the hearts of all who believe. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Response: Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

All then say the Lord’s Prayer, which the celebrabt may introduce in these similar words: Dear friends in Christ, let us pray together as the Lord Jesus Christ has taught.

All: Our Father…

Conclusion of the Rite:

Prayer over the people and blessing:

The celebrant extends hes hands over the people and says: God our Father, complete the work you have begun and keep the gifts of your Holy Spirit active in the hearts of you people. Make them ready to live his Gospel and eager to do his will. May they never be ashamed to proclaim to all the world Christ crucified living and reigning for ever and ever.

Response: Amen.

The celebrant adds immediately: And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain with you forever.

Response: Amen.