CHRISTIAN LIVING HANDOUT

4th Quarter
Lesson 3
SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL
What are the seven sacraments?
The seven sacraments are efficient signs of grace.
They are SIGNS because they are visible symbols of invisible realities. For example: in Baptism the
visible sign is water, the invisible reality is the Holy Spirit; in Eucharist, the visible signs are bread and wine,
the invisible realities are the body and blood of Christ.
They are EFFICIENT because they make effective the invisible reality they represent. The sacraments are
always valid (ex opera operato), because the ministers administer them on behalf of Christ (in persona
Christi)
They transmit the divine GRACE: The sanctifying grace is the communion with God, which is lost any
time we commit a mortal sin, the sacramental grace is the divine assistance given by each sacrament in
order to fulfill our duties.

What is the difference between sacraments and sacramentals?

The seven sacraments were instituted by Christ himself, and cannot be changed, while the sacramentals are
instituted by the Church, and can change (house blessings, procession, pilgrimages, exorcisms, religious
profession). For example, the rosary, which is sacramental, was changed when Pope John Paul II added
the Mysteries of Light.
SACRAMENT

MINISTER

MATTER

Baptism

Deacon/ Priest

Confirmation
Eucharist

Bishop
Priest

Water
Laying of Hands
& Chrism
Bread & Wine

Penance
Order

Priest
Bishop

Matrimony

Spouses

Confession of
Sins
Laying of Hands
Exchange of
Consent

Anointing of
the Sick

Priest

Oil of the Sick

FORM
I baptize you in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
Be sealed with the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
This is my body; this is my blood.
I absolve you in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
You are a priest forever
I take you as my wife; I take you as
my husband
Through this holy anointing may the
Lord in his love and mercy help you
with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

What are the three essential elements of each sacrament?

The three essential elements of each sacrament are:
1) MINISTER: the one administering the sacrament;
2) MATTER:
the visible object used for the sacrament;
3) FORM:
the words used to celebrate the sacrament.
If any of the three elements is missing, the sacrament is invalid.

What are the sacraments of Christian initiation?

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are called the sacraments of Christian initiation because they lay the
foundations of every Christian life. In the past, the catechumens received the three sacraments during the
Paschal Vigil. Today, for practical purposes, Baptism is celebrated as soon as possible after birth, Eucharist
and Confirmation at the age of reason (seven years old and above). The three sacraments of initiation do not
give a different grace, but the same grace in increasing degrees.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the efficient sign of grace that confers the Holy Spirit. It is called
Confirmation because this sacrament confirms and strengthens the baptismal grace. Through the Holy Spirit,
we become mature Christians and witnesses of Christ, in words and deeds, until death.

When did Jesus institute the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confirmation when he said: As the Father has sent me, so I send you he
breathed on them and said Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-22). The first Confirmation in the Spirit
happened on Pentecost Day (33 AD), when the Holy Spirit came over the Virgin Mary and the twelve
apostles gathered in the Cenacle of Jerusalem (Acts 2).

THE MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION

Who is the minister of Confirmation?
The minister of Confirmation is the bishop. This is to guarantee the unity, catholicity, and apostolicity of the
Church, since all bishops are connected to the twelve apostles by means of the apostolic succession.

Can the priest administer Confirmation?

For special cases, the bishop can delegate a priest to confirm on his behalf. In danger of death, any priest can
administer Confirmation. In both cases, the Chrism must be consecrated by the bishop.

What are the bishops insignia?

1.

CROSIER: The crosier (or pastoral staff) signifies the bishops authority, jurisdiction and service over
the Church. Following the example of Jesus, the Good shepherd, the bishop guides the sheep on the
way to salvation, defends them from the wolf, and searches for the lost ones. The crosier imitates the
rod given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and the rod used by the shepherds to care for the sheep.

2.

MITER: The miter represents a spiritual helmet, and signifies the duty of the bishop to defend the
Christian faith and the Church against all enemies. It is composed of a tall folding cap and two lappets
hanging down from the back. The miter is always laid aside when the bishop prays, in obedience to
Scriptures which say that a man should pray with uncovered head (1 Corinthians 11:4).

3.

RING: The ring signifies the spiritual wedding between the bishop and the Church. By wearing the
ring, the bishop confirms his fidelity to Christ and to the Church. The Episcopal ring is also used to seal
documents, and it is kissed by the faithful as a sign of respect and obedience.

4.

PECTORAL CROSS: The Pectoral Cross (Pectorale) signifies the absolute love of the bishop for
Christ and for the Church. The cross reminds the bishop of the passion of in his Episcopal ministry.

5.

COAT OF ARMS: The Episcopal Coat of Arms is a shield embossed with symbolic elements and a
motto scroll, indicating the bishops personality, programs, and ideal of life. For instance, the Coat of
Arms of Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) has three main elements (The Moor of Freising, the
Scallop Shell and the St. Corbinians Bear), and the motto Cooperatores Veritatis (Cooperators of
Truth).

THE MATTER OF CONFIRMATION

What is the matter of Confirmation?
The matter of Confirmation is the laying of hands and the Sacred Chrism.

What is the meaning of the laying of hands?

The laying of hands signifies the coming of the Spirit. It is in accordance with the example of the apostles:
Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17).

What is the Sacred Chrism?

The Sacred Chrism is olive oil mixed with perfume. The Chrism is consecrated by the bishop during the
Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday at the cathedral. The perfume signifies the sweet fragrance of Christ that
every Christian must bring into the world.

What is the prophetic, priestly, and kingly ministry?

The PROPHETIC MINISTRY means that every Christian must preach by words and deeds the Good News.
The KINGLY MINISTRY indicates our participation to the Kingdom of God and our dominion over the
reign of sin and death.
The PRIESTLY MINISTRY signifies that we ought to pray constantly to God and offer to him our life in
unity with Christ. This common priesthood of every Christian is different from the sacramental priesthood
received with the Ordination, which enables the ordained priest to celebrate Mass and hear confessions.
WITH THE ANOINTING IN THE SPIRIT WE BECOME
PROPHET
KING
PRIEST

THE FORM OF CONFIRMATION

What is the form of Confirmation?
The form is the prayer spoken by the Bishop to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. After laying his
hands and anointing the forehead of the candidate with the Sacred Chrism, by making with the thumb a sign
of the cross, the bishop says: Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What is the meaning of the slap on the cheek?

Traditionally, after the anointing and the laying of hands, the bishop slaps the cheek of the candidate to
signify bravery. Since the candidate is now a soldier of Christ (Miles Christi), he must fight bravely for
the Kingdom of God.

THE EFFECTS OF CONFIRMATION

What are the effects of Confirmation?
The Sacrament of Confirmation has three effects: 1) gives the Holy Spirit, 2) makes us mature Christians, 3)
imprint the character.
What is the character of Confirmation?
The character of confirmation is a spiritual seal that consecrates us to Christ. As St. Paul said: God has put
his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Corinthians 1:22). The character is an
indelible mark signifying our total belonging to Christ. It is similar to the seal marked on the soldiers to
indicate their loyalty to their leader, or to seal used on a document to make it authentic. Baptism and
Ordination also imprints the character; therefore these three sacraments cannot be erased nor repeated.

THE CANDIDATES FOR CONFIRMATION

Who can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Every baptized Catholic can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation after he reached the age of
reason, generally accepted as seven years, and after due preparation. Presently, in most countries,
Confirmation is given anywhere between seven and eighteen years of age. In danger of death, or for special
cases, children can also be confirmed.

What is the case for adult candidates?

The adult catechumens ought to receive at the same time Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. If the adult
candidate is already baptized, he can receive Confirmation anytime after due preparation.

Do we need to prepare before receiving Confirmation?

The candidates for Confirmation should be properly prepared: generally, in the four basic pillars of our faith
(creed, sacraments, commandments, prayer); and specifically, in the understanding of the Holy Spirit (his
manifestations and gifts) and in their mature participation to the life and mission of the Church.

Do we need to go to Confession before receiving Confirmation?

Yes, we do. In order to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation we must be in the state of grace; therefore,
we should first receive the Sacrament of Penance.

Can we receive Confirmation more than once?

No, we cannot, because Confirmation imprints an indelible character on our soul, that cannot be erased nor
repeated.

THE GODPARENTS
Is there need for godparents at Confirmation?
Yes; each candidate for Confirmation should be accompanied by one godparent (sponsor), preferably the
same one of Baptism.

What is the mission of the godparents?

The godparents have the mission of: 1) presenting their godchildren to the Bishop during the Confirmation;
2) guiding them to their Christian life.

What are the requirements for godparents?

The godparents for Confirmation must fulfill the following requirements: 1) to be at least sixteen years old;
2) to be Roman Catholics of good standing, already confirmed; 3) not to be the father or mother of the
candidate.

LITURGICAL NOTES
What is the proper dress for the candidates for Confirmation?
The dress of the candidates for Confirmation should be modest but festive. Confirmation robes are not
recommended, since they are easily confused with graduation robes. Confirmation stoles should not be used, since
the stole is a liturgical garb that distinguishes an ordained minister.

Should Confirmation be celebrated within the Mass?

The sacrament of Confirmation should be celebrated within the Mass, after the homily of the Bishop, to make
evident the connection between the two sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation can be celebrated outside
the Mass only for a just and reasonable cause. In that case, only the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion are
omitted.

What is the Liturgical color of Confirmation?

The liturgical color of Confirmation is red or white. On the Sunday of Advent and Lent the color is Violet; during the
Easter season, the color is white; on Solemnities, the color of the day must be used.

What are the liturgical readings and prayers for Confirmation?

The proper readings and prayers of the day must be used on all Sundays in Advent, Lent, Easter, and on all
Solemnities. On other days, the following ritual Mass of Confirmation is used. Gloria and Alleluia are omitted on
Advent and Lent. The candidates for Confirmation may also serve as lectors and carry gifts during the offertory.

What are the proper manner to greet the bishop and other clergy?
The deacon should be addressed as Reverend; the priest as Father; the bishop as His Excellency; and the cardinal as
His Eminence. To the deacon and priest, we should ask for the hand for the customary blessing (mano po); to the
bishop, we should kneel and bow down and kiss his ring, otherwise, we make a deep bow.

Prepared by: Mr. Gerald Cabrestante@DBTC2011