Pope Francis On Confirmation: Beyond "Goodbye"
Is Confirmation a Rite of Passage or a Beginning? Pope Francis, in his reflections, passionately argues that Confirmation should mark the start of a deeper engagement with the Church, not the end of a young person's formal religious journey.
On Wednesday, February 19, 2014, in Saint Peter's Square, Pope Francis addressed the faithful, offering insights into the Sacrament of Confirmation. He opened his address with a warm greeting, "Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!" His words, filled with a pastoral concern, focused on a crucial aspect of Catholic life: the journey of faith. He highlighted the importance of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation, which includes Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, emphasizing that through these sacraments, individuals receive new life in Christ.
The Popes reflections centered on Confirmation, a sacrament that, as he noted, should be a beginning, not an end. During the January 29, 2014, General Audience, Pope Francis focused on the same sacrament. He emphasized the need for the Church to ensure that Confirmation does not become a "sacrament of goodbye" for young people. He lamented the trend where youth receive Confirmation and then disengage from the Church until specific life events, such as marriage, prompt their return.
On Saturday, January 27, the Pope received a large delegation of young people from the Archdiocese of Bari. These young people were preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Pope Francis addressed them, encouraging them to embrace three key characteristics of the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis. He underscored that the way Confirmation is currently approached is often counterproductive. The sacrament is sometimes perceived as a "graduation" from the Church, rather than a free gift of God's grace.
During the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2013, the readings included a passage from the prophet Isaiah, who spoke of a journey. The prophet described a future time when the Lord's temple would be established as the highest mountain. This metaphor provided a context for understanding the spiritual journey of faith. Pope Francis on a Wednesday, described Confirmation as a gift meant to be shared with others. He reminded the faithful that the Holy Spirit is the invisible gift of God.
The core issue, as Pope Francis articulated, is the often-perceived disconnect between the sacrament and active participation in the Church. He observed that, for many, Confirmation regrettably becomes a "sacrament of farewell." This is because, after receiving this sacrament, teenagers, in particular, often drift away from active participation in church life. This trend deeply concerned him, as it undermines the very purpose of Confirmation: to strengthen the individual's faith and integrate them more fully into the Christian community.
Pope Francis expressed concern over the fact that the sacrament of confirmation is often the last time young people actively participate in the Church. He observed this problem in the Vatican City, and expressed the need for the church to do more to keep young people engaged with the church.
To further explore the sacrament of confirmation, here is a table with relevant information.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Sacrament's Definition | Confirmation is the second sacrament of Christian Initiation, following Baptism and preceding the Eucharist. It completes the grace of Baptism. |
| Purpose | To strengthen, confirm, and perfect the grace received in Baptism. It seals the baptized person with the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
| Effects | Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within the recipient, such as wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. It binds the recipient more perfectly to the Church and gives them a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith. |
| Key Rituals | The laying on of hands by the bishop (or his delegate), the anointing with chrism (a consecrated oil), and the words, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." |
| Traditional Age | Historically, the age of discretion, often around the teenage years, but the age can vary by diocese. |
| Spiritual Significance | Marks a person's fuller initiation into the Church and empowers them to live out their Christian faith publicly. It is considered a "sacrament of maturity." |
| Significance of Chrism | The anointing with chrism symbolizes the "seal" of the Holy Spirit and the anointing of the Christian as priest, prophet, and king. |
| Essential element of confirmation | The essential element of confirmation is anointing with Chrism oil and the words: Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. |
| Primary Witness | The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, representing the continuity with the apostles. |
| Catholic Church Teaching | The Church sees Confirmation as one of the three Sacraments of Initiation (along with Baptism and Eucharist), signifying full membership in the Church. |
| Link for Reference | Catechism of the Catholic Church (Confirmation) |
Pope Francis emphasizes that Confirmation, ideally, should represent the beginning of an active and ongoing participation in the Church. It should be a moment of growth and witness, signifying the individual's commitment to living a Christian life. If baptism is the sacrament of birth, confirmation is the sacrament of growth.
The core issue, as Pope Francis articulated, is the often-perceived disconnect between the sacrament and active participation in the Church. He observed that, for many, Confirmation regrettably becomes a "sacrament of farewell." This is because, after receiving this sacrament, teenagers, in particular, often drift away from active participation in church life. This trend deeply concerned him, as it undermines the very purpose of Confirmation: to strengthen the individual's faith and integrate them more fully into the Christian community.
The Pope's words are a call to action, urging the Church to reconsider how it prepares young people for Confirmation and how it supports them afterward. It requires efforts from parents, catechists, and the entire faith community to ensure that Confirmation becomes a launchpad for deeper faith, not a conclusion. It necessitates that the sacrament be presented not as a finish line but as the starting point for a lifelong journey of faith, a journey of sharing the Gospel and living a life rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis also addressed the issue of preparing for Confirmation and the importance of those involved in the process. He greeted parents, family members, catechists, and Bishop Giuseppe Satriano. His acknowledgement of these key figures underscores the critical role of support in fostering faith. The Popes emphasis on the community around the young people highlighted the fact that their journey is not one taken alone, but rather, one supported by many.
To summarize, Pope Francis reminds us that Confirmation is a gift, one meant to be embraced and shared. It communicates the abundance of the gifts of the spirit. It is not merely a ceremony but a profound spiritual event that calls each individual to take on a more active and dynamic role in the Church. Ultimately, the Pope's message is one of hope and renewal. He wants Confirmation to be a doorway to an active, engaged, and vibrant Catholic life, a life filled with faith, service, and a deep connection to the Church and to God.
The sacrament of Confirmation is a pivotal moment in a Catholics spiritual journey, marking a deepening of faith and a strengthening of the individuals relationship with the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis, in his reflections, encourages that Confirmation should serve as the beginning of an active and engaged participation in the Church. It emphasizes the importance of fostering continued faith growth and active involvement within the Church community. The focus on Confirmation highlights its role as a sacrament of initiation, meant to build upon the foundation of Baptism and prepare individuals for a life lived in service and witness to the Gospel.
