Sacrament of Confirmation 2023
Sacrament of Confirmation 2023
INTRODUCTION
Commentator: We are gathered today to implore the Father
and his Son, Jesus Christ,
to grant us the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The unity that we manifest at this moment
is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
the bond that connects us to one another
in heart and sentiment,
in mutual concern and service
as a single community.
Come, let us pray and accompany
our brothers and sisters
who are about to receive
the Sacrament of Confirmation,
that they may be worthy to welcome the Holy Spirit.
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When the people are gathered, the Bishop approaches the altar with the ministers while the Entrance Chant is sung.
When he has arrived at the altar, after making a profound bow with the ministers, the Bishop venerates the altar with a kiss and, if
appropriate, incenses the cross and the altar. Then, with the ministers, he goes to the chair.
When the entrance chant is concluded, the Bishop and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the Sign of the cross, while the
Bishop, facing the people, says:
PENITENTIAL ACT
Then follows the Penitential Act, to which the Bishop invites the faithful, saying:
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Then they continue:
GLORIA
Then, when it is prescribed, this hymn is either sung or said:
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you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
COLLECT
Bishop: Let us pray.
Pause for silent prayer.
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LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST READING Acts 2:1-6, 22b-23, 32-33
The Lord has anointed me, he has sent me to bring Good News to the poor,
to give them the oil of gladness.
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures; (R.)
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SECOND READING Acts 2:1-6, 22b-23, 32-33
The Spirit himself will express our plea in a way that could never be put to words.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Meanwhile, if incense is used, the Bishop puts some into the thurible. After this, the Deacon who is to proclaim the Gospel,
bowing profoundly before the Bishop, asks for the blessing, saying in a low voice:
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Deacon: Amen.
The Deacon then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate, by ministers with incense and candles.
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looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage
is fulfilled in your hearing.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentator: Please remain standing.
All remain standing and make the sign of the cross while the Bishop gives the blessing using the Book of the Gospel as
the Alleluia is sung again.
RITE OF CONFIRMATION
PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES
After the Gospel the Bishop and the Priests who will be ministers of the Sacrament with him take their seats. The Parish Priest
(pastor) or another Priest, Deacon, or catechist presents the candidates for Confirmation, according to the custom of the region.
If possible, each candidate is called by name and comes individually to the sanctuary. If the candidates are children, they are
accompanied by one of their sponsors or parents and stand before the celebrant.
If there are very many candidates, they are not called by name, but simply take a suitable place before the Bishop.
HOMILY OR ADDRESS
The Bishop then gives a brief homily. He should explain the readings and so lead the candidates, their sponsors and parents, and
the whole assembly to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Confirmation.
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RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES
Commentator: May we request the candidates for Confirmation
to please stand.
After the Homily, the candidates stand and the Bishop questions them:
Bishop: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered death and was buried,
rose again from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
Candidates: I do.
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Bishop: Do you believe in the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting?
Candidates: I do.
The Bishop accepts their Profession of Faith by proclaiming the faith of the Church:
LAYING ON OF HANDS
Commentator: Please stand.
The concelebrating Priests stand near the Bishop. He faces the people and, with hands joined, sings or says:
The Bishop and Priests who will minister the sacrament with him lay hands upon all the candidates (by extending their hands over
them). The Bishop alone sings or says:
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Bishop: All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send you Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder
and awe in your presence.
Through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Commentator: Please be seated.
The Bishop dips his right thumb in the Chrism and makes the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, as he
says:
Candidates: Amen.
The Bishop says:
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The candidates go to the Bishop or to the Priests, or the Bishop and Priests may go to the candidates. The anointing is done as
described above.
During the anointing an appropriate song may be sung. After the anointing the Bishop and the Priests wash their hands.
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4. For all men and women,
of every race and nation,
that they may acknowledge that one God as Father,
and in the bond of common fellowship
seek his Kingdom,
which is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
let us pray to the Lord: (R.)
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THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
When all this has been done, the Offertory Chant begins. Meanwhile, the ministers place the corporal, the purificator, the chalice,
the pall, and the Missal on the altar.
It is desirable that the faithful express their participation by making an offering, bringing forward bread and wine for the celebration
of the eucharist and perhaps other gifts to relieve the needs of the church and of the poor.
The Bishop, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying
in a low voice:
If, however, the offertory chant is not sung, the Bishop may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:
If, however, the offertory chant is not sung, the Bishop may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:
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After this, the Bishop, bowing profoundly, says quietly:
Then the Bishop, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly:
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THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
PREFACE I OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The sending of the Holy Spirit by the Lord upon the Church
Bishop: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II
The Bishop, with hands extended, says:
In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as the nature of these words
requires.
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In a similar way, when supper was ended,
He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:
Then he says:
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Humbly we pray
that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Concelebrant 1: Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with Francis our Pope
and Sergio our Bishop, and all the clergy.
Remember also, Lord, your servants
whom you have been pleased to confirm today
by bestowing the Holy Spirit,
and keep them in your grace.
Concelebrant 2: Remember also our brothers and sisters
who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse
with the blessed Apostles,
and all the Saints who have pleased you
throughout the ages,
we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,
and may praise and glorify you
He joins his hands.
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Bishop: Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
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He joins his hands.
Then he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:
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Meanwhile the following is sung or said:
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
The invocation may even be repeated several times if the fraction is prolonged. Only the final time, however, is grant us peace
said.
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And together with the people he adds once:
After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each
of the communicants, saying:
Communicant: Amen.
And receives Holy Communion.
If any are present who are to receive Holy Communion under both kinds, the rite described in the proper place is to be followed.
While the priest is receiving the Body of Christ, the Communion Chant begins.
When the distribution of communion is over, the Bishop or a Priest or a Deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the chalice
and also the chalice itself.
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Then the Bishop may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle
of praise or a hymn may be sung.
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THE CONCLUDING RITES
If they are necessary, any brief announcements to the people follow here.
Then the Dismissal takes place. The Bishop receives the Miter and, extending his hands, says:
SOLEMN BLESSING
Deacon: Bow down for the blessing.
Then the Bishop, with hands extended over the newly confirmed, says:
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Bishop: And may almighty God bless all of you,
who are gathered here,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
DISMISSAL
The Deacon, with hands joined and facing the people says:
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