Lesson 24: On Confirmation

1. What is confirmation?

A sacrament, which makes us strong and perfect Christians. Cor. i. 22. Acts, viii. 14, 15, 16.

2. How does the bishop give confirmation?

By the imposition of hands and by prayer; that is, he holds out his hands, and prays at the same time, that the Holy Ghost may descend upon those who are to be confirmed — and then he makes the sign of the cross on their foreheads with chrism.

3. Why does the. Bishop give the persons he confirms, a stroke on the cheek?

To put them in mind, that by confirmation they are strengthened to suffer; ar.d, if necessary, even to die for Christ.

4. To receive confirmation, worthily, is it necessary to be in the state of grace %

Yes; and children of an age to learn, should Le nstructed in the Christian doctrine.

5. What special preparations should be made for conirmation 1

You should make a good confession; and by ferment prayer, beseech your Heavenly Father, to send his Holy Spirit on you. Luke, xi. 13.

6. What do you think of those who receive confirmaion in the state of mortal sin?

They receive no benefit by it — but become more (infill, by adding to their former guilt the horrid crime of sacrilege.

7. What graces are received by confirmation?

The seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.

8. Repeat the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and the Fear of the Lord.

9. What obligations do we contract by confirmation?

To profess our faith openly — not to deny our ■eligion on any occasion whatsoever — and, like good >oldiers of Christ, to be faithful to him unto death. Apoc. ii. 10.

10. Js it a sin to neglect confirmation?

Yes; especially in these evil days, when faith and norals are exposed to so many, and such violent tempta- Jons.