Confirmation and Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Confirmation

• Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament that strengthens and completes baptismal grace.
• It seals us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Confirmation empowers believers to actively participate in the Church's mission.
• Candidates must be properly instructed, suitably disposed, and able to renew baptismal promises to receive Confirmation.
• The essential elements include the laying on of hands, anointing with chrism (holy oil), and the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."
• The ordinary minister of Confirmation is a bishop.

Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

• Wisdom: Allows us to see and value things from God's perspective.
• Understanding: Enables comprehension of divine mysteries and truths of faith.
• Counsel: Helps in making sound judgments and right choices.
• Fortitude: Gives strength and courage to live out faith despite difficulties.
• Knowledge: Reveals God's will in our lives.
• Piety: Inspires reverence and love for God.
• Fear of the Lord: Instills awe and respect for God's majesty.

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

• Charity: Love for God and neighbor.
• Joy: Inner happiness despite circumstances.
• Peace: Tranquility and order in the soul.
• Patience: Bearing difficulties with calmness.
• Kindness: Showing compassion and consideration.
• Goodness: Uprightness and moral excellence.
• Generosity: Willingness to share.
• Gentleness: Mildness and tenderness.
• Faithfulness: Loyalty and trustworthiness.
• Modesty: Humility in dress and behavior.
• Self-control: Temperance and discipline.
• Chastity: Purity in thought, word, and deed.

The Creed

• The Creed is a statement of core beliefs.
• Nicene Creed is commonly recited during Mass.
• It affirms belief in one God, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Church, and the resurrection of the dead.
• It summarizes the essential doctrines of the Catholic faith.

14 Stations of the Cross

• The Stations of the Cross is a devotion commemorating Jesus' journey to Calvary.
• Each station focuses on a specific event during Jesus' Passion.
• The 14 Stations include:
  • Jesus is condemned to death.
  • Jesus takes up his cross.
  • Jesus falls the first time.
  • Jesus meets his mother.
  • Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross.
  • Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
  • Jesus falls the second time.
  • Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
  • Jesus falls the third time.
  • Jesus is stripped of his garments.
  • Jesus is nailed to the cross.
  • Jesus dies on the cross.
  • Jesus is taken down from the cross.
  • Jesus is laid in the tomb.
• Praying the Stations of the Cross is a way to meditate on Jesus' sacrifice and express gratitude for His love.

Parable of the Sower

• The Parable of the Sower is a story told by Jesus about a sower who scatters seeds on different types of ground.
• Seeds that fall on the path are eaten by birds.
• Seeds that fall on rocky ground sprout quickly but wither due to lack of roots.
• Seeds that fall among thorns are choked.
• Seeds that fall on good soil produce abundant fruit.
• The parable illustrates how people respond differently to the Word of God.
• The path represents those who do not understand the message.
• Rocky ground represents those who accept the message initially but fall away when faced with difficulties.
• Thorns represent worldly concerns that distract from the message.
• Good soil represents those who hear, understand, and live out the message, producing a harvest of good works.