Confirmation Night

Not much time for blogging in the past few days. Plenty of time for blog-reading---so maybe it's really a lack of inspiration. But in addition to having visitors in the form of Grandparents, there has been a lot going on and I find myself running around trying to get things cooked or cleaned or driven places so I can sit down and knit a pair of socks!!!

Today's running around consists of homeschooling, baking cookies and doing the school pick-up for Madden's Confirmation tonight. Just for fun, we might see how much more we can squeeze into the day. Mercifully, the grandparents have taken on the task of picking up KT from school so she can come, too. I hope they'll enjoy the scenic drive and the tour around her campus!

I am excited about my son "Sebastian" becoming a soldier of Christ, tonight!

Confirmation

Acts 8:14-17 "Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost. Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God: whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption." First, what is Confirmation (also called "Chrismation")? What does Confirmation do? Confirmation: indelibly seals us to the Holy Ghost, hence its name, "Sacrament of the Seal." Because this seal is indelible and leaves a permanent mark on the recipient's soul, the Sacrament, like Baptism and Holy Orders, may be received only once. gives us the sanctifying grace to become perfect Christians and true soldiers of Christ, well-armed to defend Christ as King, His Mother as Queen, and the Church Militant as His Kingdom on earth. God confirms us (strengthens us) so we may do spiritual battle. imparts to us the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost, as in a "personal Pentecost": Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord The Sacrament may only be received by one who is baptized, preferrably while he is in a state of grace (i.e., not in a state of mortal sin). If it is received when the recipient is not in a state of grace, it is illicilty but still validly received; the fruits of the Sacrament will be delayed until he receives Penance. In addition, if the confirmand (the one to be confirmed) has reached the age of reason, he should be well-catechized and know the Pater (Our Father), the Ave (Hail Mary), the Apostles' Creed, and the 10 Commandments. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the Bishop; priests are extraordinary ministers of the Sacrament and may offer the Sacrament if the Bishop authorizes them to. The matter is the imposition of hands, the chrism, and the annointing. The form of the Sacrament is: "N., I sign thee with the sign + of the Cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation; in the Name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy + Ghost.". Latin: "N., signo te signo crucis + et confirmo te chrismate salutis, in nomine Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus + Sancti."

(Excerpt from Fisheaters)