World Religion CPT

Symbols

An important ritual involved with Confirmation is the laying of hands.  The Bishop stretches out his hand over the person being confirmed and calls down the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a profound gesture which is also used in other sacraments including the anointing of the sick and ordination of a priest. This gesture is also used during the consecration of the bread and wine at Mass, so that they become the body and blood of Christ. In Confirmation, the Bishop or Priest calls upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit to overshadow the person being confirmed.  Another important ritual is the anointing of oil.  The Bishop uses Chrism, which is a blessed special oil.  Anointing is a symbol of being called and strengthened for an important task, which is derived from ancient times. In Confirmation, the person is being anointed to go forth in life as a Catholic, as a disciple of Jesus, as a person of the Spirit, with confidence and strength.  The words the Bishop uses are also symbolic.  The bishop or priest performing the confirmation recites the words ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’. This symbolises a legal contract when signed and sealed is considered authentic and binding. To be sealed with the Spirit is to be confirmed as a Christian believer.  This Sign of Peace is also used within the Confirmation ceremony as a sign of our unity and that we are one people of God, one body of Christ. When the bishop or Priest says ‘Peace be with you’ during the Confirmation ceremony or during Mass, he is saying it on behalf of the community to symbolise that we are all one with the Church.