The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-09-18
CONFIRMATION.

confirmed in our profession. This,
then, is one effect of this Sacrament.
But the greatest effect of the Sacra-
ment is to give us the gift Of the
Holy Spirit into our hearts to support
and confirm us in this profession. We
must bear in mind that our being
raised to a supernatural state, or
being sanctified, is the work of the
Holy Chest in our souls. This work
is begun when we are born again of
water and the Holy Ghost; but it
leaves us like newborn infants" Il
Pet. ii, p pure and innocent, but weak
and helpless. But when we have adj
vanced in years we need that this
spiritual life, begun in us at Baptism,
should be strengthened and perfected;
and this is the special grace given to
us by the Holy Ghost in Confirmation.
And so this is what we ask for in the
prayers that are used in administering
this Sacrament: Confirm, o God,
that which Thou hast wrought in us"
in Baptism. This strengthening grace
is represented by the amounting with
oil, the effect of which on the body
is to strengthen, so that the wrestlers
in the public games used to anoint
themselves with it. And as we re-
ceive this Sacrament at time when
we, like them, are going forth into the
world to wrestle, not only with it and
with the flesh, but with "the spirit
of wickedness," we need, at this time,
particular strength and courage In
fused into our souls. This is just
what this Sacrament gives us, the gift
of the Holy Ghost, in order to make
us strong and perfect Christians and
soldiers of Jesus Christ. In this
! world we are members of the Church
Militant; our very work and calling
is to fight against the enemies of God
and of our soul. AS those who are
preparing themselves for fighting
practice themselves in facing hard
ships and enduring pain, SO those who
are going forth to contend against the
world and its temptations must be
ready to encounter difficulties with
spirit, and not to lose courage If they
meet with ill-usage or ridicule from
others. This is the meaning of the
sign of the Cross being made by the
Bishop on the forehead and giving a
little slap on the cheek of the person
whom he is confirming; for the grace
which Confirmation gives is not meant
to do instead of our own exertions,
but to help them. When we are armed
with the strength given us in that
Sacrament we go forth and profess
our faith, and stand up for it, not max.
ing much account of whatever blows
or rebuffs we may receive. We have
an example of the effects of the gift OF
the Holy Ghost in the Apostles, who
were before so weak and timid that
| when our Lord was apprehended In
the Garden of Gethsamani, all forsool
Him and fled; but after the Holy
Ghost had descended on them were
not afraid to speak out before the
magistrates who apprehended them
so that they marvelled at the con
stancy of such unlearned and ignor
ant men. (Acts Nv, 49,. In the early
lays of the Church those who were
confirmed often received not merely
the special grace which belongs tt
this Sacrament, but also miraculous
powers of speaking with tongues ant
prophesying as the Apostles did or
the day of Pentecost. These miracu
lous gifts were given for the sake o.
others, and were useful and necessary
for converting them to the true faith
We have many instances in the Acts
Of the Apostles of these gifts being
received at Confirmation. But the
grace of being strengthened to pro
TESS and act up to our faith, which Ii
necessary for our own good, is given
to us now as much as to those who
received it in the Apostles time.
This, however, depends on the. Sac
rament being received properly. II
is a Sacrament of the living, and sc
must be received in a state grace
To receive it in mortal sin would be
a sacrilege; the character or mark
would be received, but not the grace
of this Sacrament; nor could it be
given second time. Besides prepar
ing for this Sacrament by careful
confession, it is necessary that all who
receive it, after having come to the
use of reason, should be instructed in
the belief and duty Of Christian
1t is usual, therefore, for those who
are to be confirmed to receive in
structions previously, and to receive
permission to be confirmed from some
one who has ascertained that they are
properly instructed. This Sacrament
comes Just at the time when they are
old enough to know the promises that
they made by their sponsors in Bap
tism, and which they have now got
to keep. The best preparation, there
fore. for receiving 1t is to be we'll in
structed in what they have to believe
and do. and to be firmly resolved tc
i fulHl1 <horo oh1ivot 3ona u,i%t, onirii