Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Litany Lane Blog:
Anoint, Psalms 34:2-9, Acts 5:17-26, John 3:16-21, Pope Francis Daily Homily - The Struggle to Reject Gossip, Blessed Anthony Neyrot, Genoa Cathedral, Catholic Catechism Part Two: THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH - Article 2:2 Sacrament of Confirmation - Signs and Rite
Good Day Bloggers! Wishing everyone a Blessed Week!
Year of Faith - October 11, 2012 - November 24, 2013
P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Serenity Happens). It has a remarkable way of producing solace, peace, patience and tranquility and of course resolution...God's always available 24/7.
The world begins and ends everyday for someone. We are all human. We all experience birth, life and death. We all have
flaws but we also all have the gift of knowledge and free will,
make the most of these gifts. Life on earth is a stepping stone to our eternal home in
Heaven. Its your choice whether to rise towards eternal light or lost to
eternal darkness. Material items, though needed for sustenance and
survival on earth are of earthly value only. The only thing that passes
from this earth to Purgatory and/or Heaven is our Soul, our Spirit...it's God's perpetual
gift to us...Embrace it, treasure it, nurture it, protect it...
"Raise not a hand to another unless it is to offer in peace and goodwill." ~ Zarya Parx 2012
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Prayers for Today: Wednesday in Easter
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Papam Franciscus
(Pope Francis)
Pope Francis April 9 Homily : The Struggle to Reject Gossip
(2013-04-09 Vatican Radio)
(Vatican Radio) May the Holy Spirit bring peace to Christian communities
and teach its members to be meek, refusing to speak ill of others. With
this hope, Pope Francis concluded his homily at Mass Tuesday morning
with staff from the Vatican medical services and office staff of the
Vatican City Government. “The first Christian community is a timeless
model for the Christian community of today, because they were of one
heart and one soul, through the Holy Spirit who had brought them into a
"new life".
In his homily Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel passage that recounts the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, who did not immediately grasp how a man can be "born again”. Through the Holy Spirit, the Pope said, we are born into the new life which we have received in Baptism." However, Pope Francis added, it is a life that has to be developed, it does not come automatically. We have to do all we can to ensure that our life develops into new life”, which may be “a laborious journey” but one that “depends chiefly on the Holy Spirit” as well as our ability to be “open to his breath”.
And this, the Pope pointed out, is exactly what happened to the early Christians. They had "new life", which was expressed in their living with one heart and one soul. They had, he said, "that unity, that unanimity, that harmony of feeling of love, mutual love ...". A dimension that needs to be rediscovered. He noted that today, for example, the aspect of "meekness in the community," is a somewhat ‘forgotten virtue’. Meekness is stigmatized, it has "many enemies”, the first of which is gossip.
Pope Francis further developed this reflection. “When we prefer to gossip, gossip about others, criticize others- these are everyday things that happen to everyone, including me – these are the temptations of the evil one who does not want the Spirit to come to us and bring about peace and meekness in the Christian community". "These struggles always exist" in the parish, in the family, in the neighborhood, among friends”. Instead through the Spirit we are born into a new life, he makes us “meek, charitable."
The Holy Father then outlined the correct behavior for a Christian. First, "do not judge anyone" because "the only Judge is the Lord." Then "keep quiet" and if you have something to say, say it to the interested parties, to those "who can remedy the situation," but "not to the entire neighborhood." "If, by the grace of the Holy Spirit – concluded Pope Francis - we succeed in never gossiping, it will be a great step forward" and "will do us all good".
In his homily Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel passage that recounts the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, who did not immediately grasp how a man can be "born again”. Through the Holy Spirit, the Pope said, we are born into the new life which we have received in Baptism." However, Pope Francis added, it is a life that has to be developed, it does not come automatically. We have to do all we can to ensure that our life develops into new life”, which may be “a laborious journey” but one that “depends chiefly on the Holy Spirit” as well as our ability to be “open to his breath”.
And this, the Pope pointed out, is exactly what happened to the early Christians. They had "new life", which was expressed in their living with one heart and one soul. They had, he said, "that unity, that unanimity, that harmony of feeling of love, mutual love ...". A dimension that needs to be rediscovered. He noted that today, for example, the aspect of "meekness in the community," is a somewhat ‘forgotten virtue’. Meekness is stigmatized, it has "many enemies”, the first of which is gossip.
Pope Francis further developed this reflection. “When we prefer to gossip, gossip about others, criticize others- these are everyday things that happen to everyone, including me – these are the temptations of the evil one who does not want the Spirit to come to us and bring about peace and meekness in the Christian community". "These struggles always exist" in the parish, in the family, in the neighborhood, among friends”. Instead through the Spirit we are born into a new life, he makes us “meek, charitable."
The Holy Father then outlined the correct behavior for a Christian. First, "do not judge anyone" because "the only Judge is the Lord." Then "keep quiet" and if you have something to say, say it to the interested parties, to those "who can remedy the situation," but "not to the entire neighborhood." "If, by the grace of the Holy Spirit – concluded Pope Francis - we succeed in never gossiping, it will be a great step forward" and "will do us all good".
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Liturgical Celebrations to be presided over by Pope: April–May
Vatican City, 3 April 2013 (VIS)
Following is the calendar of celebrations scheduled to be presided over by the Holy Father in the months of April and May, 2013:
APRIL
7 April, Second Sunday of Easter, or Divine Mercy Sunday: 5:30pm,Mass in the Basilica of St. John Lateran for the Bishop of Rome to take possession of the Roman cathedra.
14 April, Sunday: 5:30pm, Mass in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls
21 April, Sunday: 9:30am, Mass and priestly ordinations in St. Peter's Basilica.
28 April, Sunday: 10:00am, Mass and confirmations in St. Peter's Square.
MAY
4 May, Saturday: 6:00pm, Recitation of the Rosary in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
5 May, Sunday: 10:00am, Mass for Confraternities in St. Peter's Square.
12 May, Sunday: 9:30am, Mass and canonizations of Blesseds Antonio Primaldo and Companions; Laura di Santa Caterina da Siena Montoya y Upegui; and Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala.
18 May, Saturday: 6:00pm, Pentecost Vigil in St. Peter's Square with the participation of ecclesial movements.
19 May, Pentecost Sunday: 10:00am, Mass in St. Peter's Square with the participation of ecclesial movements.
Following is the calendar of celebrations scheduled to be presided over by the Holy Father in the months of April and May, 2013:
APRIL
7 April, Second Sunday of Easter, or Divine Mercy Sunday: 5:30pm,Mass in the Basilica of St. John Lateran for the Bishop of Rome to take possession of the Roman cathedra.
14 April, Sunday: 5:30pm, Mass in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls
21 April, Sunday: 9:30am, Mass and priestly ordinations in St. Peter's Basilica.
28 April, Sunday: 10:00am, Mass and confirmations in St. Peter's Square.
MAY
4 May, Saturday: 6:00pm, Recitation of the Rosary in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
5 May, Sunday: 10:00am, Mass for Confraternities in St. Peter's Square.
12 May, Sunday: 9:30am, Mass and canonizations of Blesseds Antonio Primaldo and Companions; Laura di Santa Caterina da Siena Montoya y Upegui; and Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala.
18 May, Saturday: 6:00pm, Pentecost Vigil in St. Peter's Square with the participation of ecclesial movements.
19 May, Pentecost Sunday: 10:00am, Mass in St. Peter's Square with the participation of ecclesial movements.
Reference:
- Vatican News. From the Pope. © Copyright 2013 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Accessed 04/09/2013.
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April 2, 2013 Our Lady of Medjugorje Message to the World:"Dear children, I am calling you to be one with my Son in spirit. I am calling you, through prayer, and the Holy Mass when my Son unites Himself with you in a special way, to try to be like Him; that, like Him, you may always be ready to carry out God's will and not seek the fulfillment of your own. Because, my children, it is according to God's will that you are and that you exist, and without God's will you are nothing. As a mother I am asking you to speak about the glory of God with your life because, in that way, you will also glorify yourself in accordance to His will. Show humility and love for your neighbour to everyone. Through such humility and love, my Son saved you and opened the way for you to the Heavenly Father. I implore you to keep opening the way to the Heavenly Father for all those who have not come to know Him and have not opened their hearts to His love. By your life, open the way to all those who still wander in search of the truth. My children, be my apostles who have not lived in vain. Do not forget that you will come before the Heavenly Father and tell Him about yourself. Be ready! Again I am warning you, pray for those whom my Son called, whose hands He blessed and whom He gave as a gift to you. Pray, pray, pray for your shepherds. Thank you."
March 25, 2013 Our Lady of Medjugorje Message to the World:
“Dear children! In this time of grace I call you to take the cross of my beloved Son Jesus in your hands and to meditate on His passion and death. May your suffering be united in His suffering and love will win, because He who is love gave Himself out of love to save each of you. Pray, pray, pray until love and peace begin to reign in your hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
March 18, 2013 Message to the World via Annual Apparition to Mirjana:
"Dear children! I call you to, with complete trust and joy, bless the name of the Lord and, day by day, to give Him thanks from the heart for His great love. My Son, through that love which He showed by the Cross, gave you the possibility to be forgiven for everything; so that you do not have to be ashamed or to hide, and out of fear not to open the door of your heart to my Son. To the contrary, my children, reconcile with the Heavenly Father so that you may be able to come to love yourselves as my Son loves you. When you come to love yourselves, you will also love others; in them you will see my Son and recognize the greatness of His love. Live in faith! Through me, my Son is preparing you for the works which He desires to do through you – works through which He desires to be glorified. Give Him thanks. Especially thank Him for the shepherds - for your intercessors in the reconciliation with the Heavenly Father. I am thanking you, my children. Thank you."
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Today's Word: anoint a·noint [uh-noint]
Origin: 1300–50; Middle English anoynten, derivative of anoynt, enoynt (past participle) < Old French enoint < Latin inūnctus anointed (past participle of inungere ), equivalent to in- in-2 + ung- smear with oil + -tus past participle suffix
verb (used with object)
1. to rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to.
2. to smear with any liquid.
3. to consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil: He anointed the new high priest.
4. to dedicate to the service of God.
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Today's Old Testament Reading - Psalms 34:2-9
2 I will praise Yahweh from my heart; let the humble hear and rejoice.
3 Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh, let us acclaim his name together.
4 I seek Yahweh and he answers me, frees me from all my fears.
5 Fix your gaze on Yahweh and your face will grow bright, you will never hang your head in shame.
6 A pauper calls out and Yahweh hears, saves him from all his troubles.
7 The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.
8 Taste and see that Yahweh is good. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
9 Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones; those who fear him lack for nothing.
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Today's Epistle - Acts 5:17-26
17 Then the high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Filled with jealousy,
18 they arrested the apostles and had them put in the public gaol.
19 But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out,
20 'Go and take up position in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.'
21 They did as they were told; they went into the Temple at dawn and began to preach. When the high priest arrived, he and his supporters convened the Sanhedrin -- this was the full Senate of Israel -- and sent to the gaol for them to be brought.
22 But when the officials arrived at the prison they found they were not inside, so they went back and reported,
23 'We found the gaol securely locked and the warders on duty at the gates, but when we unlocked the door we found no one inside.'
24 When the captain of the Temple and the chief priests heard this news they wondered what could be happening.
25 Then a man
arrived with fresh news. 'Look!' he said, 'the men you imprisoned are
in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people.'
26 The captain went with his men and fetched them -- though not by force, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.
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Today's Gospel Reading - John 3:16-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus: "For this is
how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. For God sent
his Son into the world not to judge the world, but so that through him
the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be judged;
but whoever does not believe is judged already, because that person does
not believe in the Name of God's only Son. And the judgement is this:
though the light has come into the world people have preferred darkness
to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who
does wrong hates the light and avoids it, to prevent his actions from
being shown up; but whoever does the truth comes out into the light, so
that what he is doing may plainly appear as done in God.'
Reflection
Reflection
• John’s Gospel is like a fabric or
cloth made of three different threads, but similar. The three of them
are so well combined with one another that, sometimes, it is not
possible to understand when one goes from one thread to the other. (a)
The first thread are the facts and words of Jesus during the thirty
years, preserved by the eye witnesses who kept the things which Jesus
did and taught. (b) The second thread are the facts of the life of the
community. Because of their faith in Jesus and convinced of his presence
among them, the communities enlightened their path with the words and
the gestures of Jesus. This has some incidence or impact on the
description of the facts. For example, the conflict of the communities
with the Pharisees at the end of the first century marks the way of
describing the conflicts of Jesus with the Pharisees. (c) The comments
made by the Evangelist are the third thread. In some passages it is
difficult to perceive when Jesus ceases to speak and the Evangelist
begins to weave his own comments. The text of today’s Gospel, for
example, is a beautiful and profound reflection of the Evangelist on the
action of Jesus. The people can hardly perceive the difference between
when Jesus speaks and when the Evangelist does. In any case, both of
them are Word of God.
• John 3, 16: God loved the world. The word world is one of those words used more frequently in the Gospel of John: 78 times! It has several meanings. In the first place world may signify the earth, the space inhabited by human beings (Jn 11, 9; 21, 25) or also the created universe (Jn 17, 5.24) World can also mean the persons who inhabit this earth, all of humanity (Jn 1, 9; 3, 16; 4, 42; 6, 14; 8, 12). It can also mean a large group, a numerous group of persons, as when we speak of “the whole world” (Jn 12, 19; 14, 27). Here, in our text the word world also has the sense of humanity, all the human beings. God so loves humanity that he gave his only Son. The one who accepts that God reaches down to us in Jesus, has already passed through death and has eternal life.
• John 3, 17-19: The true sense of judgment. The image of God which appears in the three verses is that of a Father full of tenderness and not of a severe judgment. God sends his Son not to judge and condemn the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him. The one who believes in Jesus and accepts him as the revelation of God is not judged, because he is already accepted by God. And the one who does not believe in Jesus has already been judged. He excludes himself. And the Evangelist repeats what he had already said in the Prologue: many persons do not want to accept Jesus, because his light reveals the evil which exists in them (cf. Jn 1, 5.10-11).
• John 3, 20-21: To practice truth: In every human being, there is a divine seed, a trait of the Creator. Jesus, the revelation of the Father, is a response to this deepest desire of the human being. The one, who wants to be faithful to what he has deepest in him, accepts Jesus. It is difficult to find a broader ecumenical vision than the one expressed in these three verses in the Gospel of John.
• To complete the significance of the word world in the Fourth Gospel. Other times the word world means that part of humanity opposed to Jesus and to his message. There the word world assumes the meaning of “enemies” or “opponents” (Jn 7, 4.7; 8, 23.26; 9, 39; 12, 25). This world which is contrary to the practice of the liberty of Jesus, is directed by the enemy or Satan, also called the “prince of this world” (Jn 14, 30; 16, 11). It represents the Roman Empire and, at the same time, also those responsible of the Jews who driving out the followers of Jesus from the Synagogue. This world persecutes and kills the communities causing tribulations to the faithful (Jn 16, 33). Jesus will liberate them, conquering the prince of this world (Jn 12, 31). Therefore, world means a situation of injustice, of oppression, which generates hatred and persecution against the communities of the Beloved Disciple. The persecutors are those persons who have the power, the leaders, both of the Empire and of the Synagogue. Lastly, all those who practice injustice using for this the name of God (Jn 16, 2). The hope which the Gospel gives to the persecuted communities is that Jesus is stronger than the world. This is why he says: “In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous, I have conquered the world!” (Jn 16, 33).
Personal questions
• God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. Has this truth penetrated in the depth of your heart, of your conscience?
• The more ecumenical truth that exists is the life which God has given us and for which he has given his only Son. How do I live Ecumenism in my daily life?
Reference: Courtesy of Order of Carmelites, www.ocarm.org.
• The more ecumenical truth that exists is the life which God has given us and for which he has given his only Son. How do I live Ecumenism in my daily life?
Reference: Courtesy of Order of Carmelites, www.ocarm.org.
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Featured Item of the Day from Litany Lane
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Saint of the Day: Bl. Anthony Neyrot
Feast Day: April 10
Patron Saint:
Attributes: n/a
Anthony Neyrot was born in Rivoli, in Piedmont, Italy, and entered the Dominicans. After completing his studies, he was ordained and lived for a while at San Marco in Florence where he studied under Antoninus of Florence. Restless, he asked for a change of mission and was sent to Sicily. Still unhappy, he left for Naples. On this voyage, his ship was captured by Moorish pirates, and along with the other passengers, was taken to North Africa.[1]
It would appear that the Muslim caliph of Tunis seemed to have liked Anthony, as he was treated kindly, and was not even confined, until his arrogance angered his captors. Antony was impatient and resented the idea of being a prisoner. Living on a diet of bread and water, he soon collapsed. He then denied his faith in order to buy his freedom.[1][2]
Anthony lost all faith in Christianity and began to translate the Koran. He was adopted by the king and married a Turkish lady of high rank. Then came news of the death of Antoninus. This led to a radical change in Anthony's attitudes. He had a dream in which Antoninus appeared to him; the conversation that transpired caused Anthony to resolve to readopt the faith which he had left behind, although such an action would result in his certain death.[1][3]
Finding a Dominican priest, Anthony confessed his sins, and on Palm Sunday of 1460, he publicly asked forgiveness from his fellow Catholics and was thereafter readmitted to his order.[4]
Wanting his reconversion to be as public as his denial had been, Anthony waited until the king held a public procession. Having confessed and made his private reconciliation with God, Anthony mounted the palace steps where all could see him clothed in a Dominican habit. Anthony proclaimed his faith, and the outraged king ordered that he be stoned to death. Anthony was killed on Holy Thursday, 1460.[1]
Veneration
Anthony's body was recovered at great expense by merchants from Genoa[3] and was returned to Rivoli, where his tomb became a place of pilgrimage. Miracles were attributed to it, and an annual procession was held at his shrine, wherein all the present-day members of his family dressed in black and revered his memory.[1]Blessed Anthony's cultus was approved by Pope Clement XIII on 22 February 1767.[5]
References
- Rabenstein, Katherine (April 1999). "Blessed Antony Neyrot, OP". Saints O' the Day for April 10. Archived from the original on 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
- "Bl. Anthony Neyrot". Saints and Angels. Catholic Online. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
- "April 10: Blessed Anthony Neyrot". Saints for April. Holy Spirit Interactive. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
- Oakes, Edward T. (S.J.) (2006-09-01). "Islam and Conversion". First Things. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
- Blessed Anthony Neyrot, Priest and Martyr PDF (958 KiB), Manual of the Dominican Laity. Province of the Assumption, pp26-27. Retrieved on 23 February 2012.
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Today's Snippet I: Genoa Cathedral
Genoa Cathedral (Italian: Duomo di Genoa, Cattedrale di San Lorenzo) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the Italian city of Genoa. It is dedicated to Saint Lawrence (San Lorenzo), and is the seat of the Archbishop of Genoa.
The cathedral was founded probably in the 5th or 6th century AD, devoted to Saint Sirus, bishop of Genoa.
Excavations under the pavement and in the area in front of today's west
front have brought to light walls and pavements of Roman age as well as
pre-Christian sarcophagi, suggesting the existence of a burial ground in the site. Later a church devoted to the Twelve Apostles was built, which was in turn flanked and replaced by a new cathedral dedicated to Saint Lawrence, in Romanesque style. Money came from the successful enterprises of the Genoese fleets in the Crusades.
The transferring of the cathedral favored the urbanization of the
zone that, with the construction of its walls in 1155, and the fusion of
the three ancient city nuclei (castrum, civitas and burgus),
became the heart of the city. The piazza, in the absence of other
public squares and centers of lay power, was the only city's public
space for the whole Middle Ages. The cathedral was consecrated by Pope Gelasius II in 1118, and from 1133 had archiepiscopal rank. After the fire of 1296, provoked by fights between Guelphs and Ghibellines,
the building was partly restored and partly rebuilt. Between 1307 and
1312 the façade was completed, the inner colonnades rebuilt with
capitals and matronei added. The Romanesque structures remained pretty untouched, and frescoes of religious subject were also added.
Various altars and chapels have been erected between the 14th and
15th centuries. The small loggia on the north-eastern tower of the
façade was built in 1455; the opposite one, in Mannerist style, is from 1522. In 1550 the Perugian architect Galeazzo Alessi
was commissioned by the city magistrates to plan the reconstruction of
the entire building; however, he executed only the covering of the nave
and aisles, the pavement, the dome and the apse.
The construction of the cathedral finished in the 17th century. The
dome and the medieval parts were restored in 1894-1900. The present 7
bells are tuned in the major scale of C#.
Among the artworks inside the church are ceiling frescoes in a chapel on the north by Luca Cambiaso; a Crucifixion with Saints (St. Sebastian's Vision) by Barocci; in front of the organ is an Episode from the life of St. Lawrence by Giovanni Andrea Ansaldo; the ceiling fresco in the presbytery of the Martyrdom of St Lawrence was painted by Lazzaro Tavarone; and an Assumption of the Virgin (1914) by Gaetano Previati.
The church also contains 14th century frescoes in the Byzantine style
in the main portal. Sculptural works include a statue in the chapel of
St. John by Domenico Gagini ; a Virgin and a St. John the Baptist by Andrea Sansovino. Other works include works by Matteo Civitali, Taddeo Carlone,and Giacomo and Guglielmo Della Porta .
The cathedral had a fortunate escape on February 9, 1941, when the city was being shelled as part of Operation Grog. Because of a crew error, the British battleship HMS Malaya fired a 381 mm armour-piercing shell into the south-eastern corner of the nave. The relatively soft material failed to detonate the fuse and the shell is still there.[1]
The Museum of the Treasury lies under the cathedral and holds a
collection of jewellery and silverware from 9 AD up to the present.
Among the most important pieces are the sacred bowl (it:Sacro Catino) brought by Guglielmo Embriaco after the conquest of Caesarea and supposed to be the chalice used by Christ during the Last Supper; and the Cassa Processionale del Corpus Domini.[2][3]
References
- "Obituary:Commander Henry Hatfield". Daily Telegraph. 4-July-2010. Retrieved 5-July-2010.
- Genoa in 4 Hour by Edizioni GMT in English
- Website of the Museo del tesoro di San Lorenzo(Italian)
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Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery,
Section Two: The Seven Sacraments of the Church
Article 2:1 Sacrament of Confirmation
SECTION TWO
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
Article 2
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
1285
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute
the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be
safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the
sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal
grace.Cf. Roman Ritual, Rite of Confirmation (OC), Introduction 1. For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are
more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of
the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly
obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."LG 11; Cf. OC, Introduction 2
II. The Signs and the Rite of Confirmation
1293
In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of
anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal. Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is
a sign of abundance and joy;Deut 11:14;
⇒ Pss 23:5;
⇒ 104:15 it cleanses (anointing before and after
a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of
healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds;Isa 1:6;
⇒ Lk 10 34 and it makes
radiant with beauty, health, and strength.
1294
Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. the
pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and
strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort. the
post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is
the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are
anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness
of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off
"the aroma of Christ."2 Cor 2:15
1295
By this anointing the confirmand receives the "mark," the seal of the
Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or
ownership of an oblect.Gen 38:18;
⇒ 41:42; ⇒ Deut 32:34;
CT 8:6 Hence soldiers were marked with their leader's
seal and slaves with their master's. A seal authenticates a juridical act or
document and occasionally makes it secret.1 Kings 21:8;
⇒ Jer 32:10; ⇒ Isa 29:11
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Christ himself declared that he was marked with his Father's seal.Jn 6:27
Christians are also marked with a seal: "It is God who establishes us with
you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us
his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."2 Cor 1:21-22 This seal of the Holy
Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for
ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological
trial. Rev 7:2-3
The
celebration of Confirmation
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The consecration of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes the
celebration of Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It is the
bishop who, in the course of the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, consecrates the
sacred chrism for his whole diocese. In some Eastern Churches this consecration
is even reserved to the patriarch:
The Syriac liturgy of Antioch
expresses the epiclesis for the consecration of the sacred chrism (myron) in
this way: "[Father . . . send your Holy Spirit] on us and on this oil
which is before us and consecrate it, so that it may be for all who are
anointed and marked with it holy myron, priestly myron, royal myron, anointing
with gladness, clothing with light, a cloak of salvation, a spiritual gift, the
sanctification of souls and bodies, imperishable happiness, the indelible seal,
a buckler of faith, and a fearsome helmet against all the works of the
adversary."
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When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, as is the case in the
Roman Rite, the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal
promises and the profession of faith by the confirmands. This clearly shows
that Confirmation follows Baptism.SC 71 When adults are baptized, they
immediately receive Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist.CIC, can. 866
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In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the
confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift
of the Spirit. the bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:
All-powerful God, Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and
daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon
them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom
and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment
and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and
reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of
wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our
Lord.OC 25
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The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, "the
sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the
forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words:
'Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti' [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy
Spirit.]."Paul VI, apostolic constitution, Divinae consortium naturae, 663 In the Eastern Churches, after a prayer of epiclesis
the more significant parts of the body are anointed with myron: forehead, eyes,
nose, ears, lips, breast, back, hands, and feet. Each anointing is accompanied
by the formula: "The seal of the gift that is the Holy Spirit."
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The sign of peace that concludes the rite of the sacrament signifies and
demonstrates ecclesial communion with the bishop and with all the
faithful.St. Hippolytus, Trad. Ap. 21 SCh 11, 80-95
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