That They Might Be Sealed In Christ...

My two older boys have been studying for their interviews with our Pastor this Sunday in preparation of their Confirmations in the Extraordinary Form.


In our 4 years of homeschooling, studying religion EVERY day, we ALL have learned so much from the Baltimore Catechisms, the Bible, Faith & Life books and Fr. Laux books. The boys remind me that sadly in their former school, a Catholic school, they had religion class rarely. If any program or assembly happened that week, religion was bumped to make room for it. Why? Because religion wasn't on the Terra Nova standardized tests....


So I am so grateful for God's persistence on my heart to homeschool. In homeschooling, I believe we are praying more, we are studying our faith more and frequent more Sacraments than we had before. And "my students" have absorbed Catholicism..so much so that at times they challenge my faith to grow.



Today, our last item to review was the Effects of Confirmation, the final one being that it SEALS one in Christ, creating a INDELIBLE MARK imprinted on their soul. My oldest replied that seal will make all the difference. It would protect him from the mark of the beast.


In a Spiritual Work of Mercy he admonished me, "You've got to try harder with your brother (who he had wished could be his sponsor) and sister, Mom. What could matter more? How are you going to feel someday when you are all before God and they ask you why you didn't try harder to convince them to be confirmed?" He believes, thank you Lord.

He believes in the gifts of the Sacrament and wants my siblings to have those gifts. So do I.


It makes me sad and introspective. He makes me aware of the responsibility we all have to evangelize...and it's difficulties. He reminds me that God who is merciful is also just and will judge me and what type of effort I expend in gratitude for the gifts I 've been given.


They have their own ideas about faith and it's place/portion in their lives. It leads to anger or retreat when the topic is brought up and although we are close, it is the reason why we aren't as close as I pray my children will be to each other.


Everyone thinks their own way is "right." I can only continue to live my faith. I publically made professions and promises to this faith when I was married, when my children were baptised and so when I say I am Catholic I mean that I accept it and all it's teachings. I pray my children see that example as I train my children up in the way I think they should go. (Proverbs 22:6)


And I pray.


Pray... that others embrace their Catholic faith in it's fullness.




Acts 8:14-17 "Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost.
Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God: whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption."

What is Confirmation (also called "Chrismation")? What does Confirmation do?


Confirmation:
* indelibly seals us to the Holy Ghost, hence its name, "Sacrament of the Seal." Because this seal is indelible and leaves a permanent mark on the recipient's soul, the Sacrament, like Baptism and Holy Orders, may be received only once.


* gives us the sanctifying grace to become perfect Christians and true soldiers of Christ, well-armed to defend Christ as King, His Mother as Queen, and the Church Militant as His Kingdom on earth. God confirms us (strengthens us) so we may do spiritual battle.


* imparts to us the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost, as in a "personal Pentecost":
- Wisdom
- Understanding
- Counsel
- Fortitude
- Knowledge
- Piety
- Fear of offending the Lord


In any case, just as Abram became Abraham, as Jacob became Israel, as Simon became Peter, and as Saul became Paul, the confirmand takes on the name of a Saint when he is sealed to the Holy Ghost and receives an increase in the sanctifying grace received at baptism.

More. More grace..strength for the journey.

Prayer to St. Anthony for conversion

Loving Saint Anthony you always reached out in compassion to those who had lost their faith. You were especially concerned because they had lost access to the healing words of Jesus found in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and in the nourishing presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Intercede for (name) who has stopped practicing his/her faith. Reawaken in his/her heart a love for our Church and the sacraments, and enkindle in his/her heart a sense of forgiveness for the ways he/she might have been hurt by members of the Church who fell short of the teaching of Christ.

Finally, St. Anthony, help me to respond to my own call to conversion so that I might become an example of someone who has found great peace in the arms of Christ. May the joy I experience as a Catholic be an invitation to those who are lost to come home again to the Church which we love. Amen.