Rite of the Sacrament of Confirmation

LITURGY OF THE WORD OF GOD

First Reading * Acts 2:1-6,14,22b-23,32-33

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in the same place. Suddenly a sound like the rush of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were staying. Tongues as of fire appeared to them, separated, and came to rest on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. Now there were devout Jews staying in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven. When this sound was heard, a crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice: “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words. Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose mission God confirmed to you through mighty deeds, wonders, and signs that God performed through him among you, as you yourselves know. This man, handed over according to God's set purpose and foreknowledge, you crucified and killed by the hands of the lawless. God raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses to this. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and poured him out, as you yourselves see and hear.”

Responsorial Psalm * Ps 117:1-2

Go and proclaim the Gospel to the world

Praise the Lord, all nations,

glorify him, all peoples,

for great is his love for us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Gospel Acclamation * Jn 14:26

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything;

he will remind you of everything I have told you.

Gospel (the following – Jn 14:23-26 – or another)

Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word you hear is not mine, but that of the Father who sent me. I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of everything I have told you.”

After the Gospel, the bishop (and the priests assisting him) sit in the chairs prepared for them. Depending on local custom, the candidates for Confirmation are presented by the parish priest, another priest, a deacon, or a catechist in the following way: if possible, each candidate is called by name, and they enter the sanctuary one by one; if they are children, they are led by one of their Confirmation sponsors or one of their parents. The candidates stand before the celebrant. If there are very many candidates for Confirmation, they are not called by name but take their places in a suitable location before the bishop.

Priest: Reverend Father, through me the holy Church asks you to confer the sacrament of Confirmation on the young people gathered here.

Bishop: Do these young people know how great a gift they receive in this sacrament, and have they prepared properly to receive it?

Priest: I am convinced that all have prepared for Confirmation, for over a number of days they have listened to the word of God and joined in prayer, and have received the sacrament of Penance.

Bishop: Dear young people, tell the Church gathered here what graces you hope to receive from God in this sacrament.

Candidates: We desire that the Holy Spirit, whom we shall receive, strengthen us to profess our faith courageously and to live according to its teachings.

All: Amen.

HOMILY

The bishop gives a homily explaining the meaning of the sacrament. He concludes with these or similar words:

And now, before you receive the Holy Spirit, recall the faith you professed at holy Baptism, or which your parents and godparents professed together with the Church on the day of your Baptism.

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES

The bishop questions the candidates for Confirmation, saying:

Bishop: I ask each of you:

Do you renounce Satan, all his works, and his empty promises?

Candidates: I do.

Bishop: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

Candidates: I do.

Bishop: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered and was buried, rose from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father?

Candidates: I do.

Bishop: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, whom you are to receive today in the sacrament of Confirmation, just as the Apostles received him on the day of Pentecost?

Candidates: I do.

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

Candidates: I do.

The bishop joins in this profession 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 gathered faithful express their assent by responding:

All: Amen.

If circumstances warrant, this formula may be replaced by another, or a suitable hymn may be sung in which the community expresses its faith with one voice.

LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT

LAYING ON OF HANDS

The bishop (together with the priests assisting him) stands facing the people and, with hands joined, says:

Dearly beloved, let us pray to God the Father almighty that he may graciously send the Holy Spirit upon these adopted children of his, already reborn in Baptism to eternal life. May the Holy Spirit strengthen them with his gifts and, through his anointing, make them like Christ, the Son of God.

All pray in silence for a moment. The bishop (and the priests assisting him) extend their hands over the candidates. The bishop alone says:

Almighty God,

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who have brought these servants of yours to new birth

through water and the Holy Spirit

and freed them from sin,

send upon them the Holy Spirit, the Advocate,

give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and fortitude,

the spirit of knowledge and piety,

fill them with the spirit of fear of you.

Through Christ our Lord.

The faithful: Amen

ANOINTING WITH CHRISM

The deacon presents the sacred chrism to the bishop. The candidates for Confirmation approach the bishop one by one or, if circumstances warrant, the bishop approaches each candidate. The Confirmation sponsor places his or her right hand on the candidate's shoulder and tells the bishop the candidate's name, or the candidate gives his or her own name.

The bishop dips his right thumb in the chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the candidate's forehead, saying:

N., BE SEALED WITH THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The newly confirmed: Amen.

The bishop adds: Peace be with you.

The newly confirmed: And with your spirit.

A suitable hymn may be sung during the anointing. After the anointing, the bishop (and the priests) wash their hands.

UNIVERSAL PRAYER

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

FINAL BLESSING

Bishop: May God the Father almighty, who has brought you to new birth through water and the Holy Spirit and made you his adopted children, + bless you and grant that you may always be worthy of his fatherly love.

All: Amen.

Bishop: May Jesus Christ, the only Son of the eternal Father, who promised that the Spirit of truth would remain in the Church, bless you and strengthen you in professing the true faith.

All: Amen.

Bishop: May the Holy Spirit, who kindled the fire of love in the hearts of the disciples, bless you, unite you, and lead you to the joy of the Kingdom of God.

All: Amen.

Bishop: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.