answersLogoWhite

0

AnswerIn the sacrament of confirmation, two specifc signs are used in the conferral of the grace of the sacrament; these are: the imposition of hands, and the anointing with oil, specifically, with sacred chrism.

The sacrament is usually conferred by the bishop of the diocese, although he may delegate this authority to a particular priest for a specific celebration.

After certain prayers, the bishop imposes his hands over the head of the confirmand (the one being confirmed), in continuation of the long-established practice of Christianity, reaching back to the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Then, after the confirmand positively renews his or her baptismal vows, the bishop anoints each one on the forehead with the sacred chrism. This is a special oil, used only for confirmations and ordinations. It is scented with aromatic balsam (the 'balm of Gilead'), and serves to remind the faithful that they are the 'aroma of Christ' in the world.

AnswerThere are three essential sacramental symbols or signs used in the liturgy of confirmation:
  • laying on of hands (by a bishop - or a priest in Eastern Catholic Churches),
  • anointing with chrism (sacred oil), and
  • the bishop's (or priest's) words "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit"
AnswerCandle

Oil

New name

AnswerYour question is difficult because it is unclear what you mean by "sign". The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says that "anointing with oil, which is the sacramental sign of Confirmation" (139) is a symbol (aka sign) of the Holy Spirit. Sacraments themselves are external signs of inward outpouring of grace, "efficacious signs of grace perceptible to the senses" (CCC 224). What does this mean? It means the the sign of the sacrament actually performs what it symbolizes. In confirmation also known as chrismation, the rite goes as follows in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church: "The bishop [though sometimes a priest as the bishop's minister - my words] extends his hands over those who are to be confirmed, prays that they may receive the Holy Ghost, and anoints the forehead of each with holy chrism in the form of a cross" (Baltimore Catechism No. 3 Questions 677). The extending of the bishop's hands is a sign that "the descent of the Holy Ghost upon us [the confirmed] and the special protection of God through the grace of Confirmation" (BC3 Q678) In Holy Chrism "a mixture of olive-oil and balm, consecrated by the bishop", "oil signifies from strength, and the balm signifies the freedom from corruption and the sweetness which virtue must give to our lives" (BC3 Q 679-680). Again it is difficult to know what you mean by sign of confirmation because sign could also mean external effects or symbols directly involved in the ritual.

The anointing, the on of the bishop, being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The outward symbol in the sacrament of confirmation is the laying on of apostolic hands in the person of the Bishop. This is the outward sign intended to coincide with the interior empowering of the Holy Spirit, as seen when the apostles laid their hands on new disciples in the New Testament (most notably in Acts 6:6, 8:17, and 19:1-6).

AnswerBishops have the authority to confer this gift because they stand in the place of the apostles, they hold the apostolic seat in each region, and have had apostolic hands laid upon them from one generation to another in historic succession since the days of the first apostles. Answeroil, bishop, dove, and fire oil, bishop, dove, and fire
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?