Confirmation: Where did it come from?

Confirmation, believe it or not, is first present in the Old Testament, before it was ever implemented as a Sacrament. Go back to the early days of Israel, when there was still a debate as to how the people would be ruled just like any other nation; though they were God's people, they needed someone to help protect them on Earth, channeling God's wisdom. Eventually, it was decided that:
1. Israel would act as a monarchy, with one solitary ruler.
2. The mother of the ruler was considered to be the "Queen Mother"
and
3. Soldiers were appointed to defend Israel

These three points foreshadow the Sacrament, as God is our solitary ruler, Mary is the Queen Mother, and God needed warriors to defend the faith in the same way the soldiers defended Israel. Thus, all Catholics, since the time of King Solomon, are called to be warriors and defenders of the faith. Thus, the appointment of this duty had to appear at some point, and it does so through Confirmation.

In conclusion, Confirmation acts as a means to renew our faith, affirm our belief in the Catholic Church, and defend the faith at all costs, just like the soldiers of Israel.

Confirmation: What is it?

1303 From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: 
- it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";115 
- it unites us more firmly to Christ; 
- it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; 
- it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;116 
- it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross:117


Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. When someone receives confirmation, the Holy Spirit bears its Gifts to the recipient, and they truly enter the Catholic faith. Normally, the ceremony consists  of symbolic gestures such as spoken prayer, laying of hands, and anointing with oil. Now, these are all facts most Catholics already know, but there is one question barely any know at all: what are the origins of this Sacrament, and when was it first used?

Let's start off by going a bit further in depth as to what exactly happens when one is confirmed. The primary aspect from which all the others originate is the fact that Confirmation makes us "Soldiers of Christ" and "strictly obligates us to spread and defend the faith by both word and deed". So, it is a ceremony enforcing our faithfulness to God. Where we were given ample opportunity to stray from the faith after Baptism, Confirmation is like a yearly checkup at the doctor's office. Confirmation re-enforces our understanding and devotion to the faith as we go down the road of what it means to be Catholic, and how we are to achieve Salvation.

Mortal Sin

     What is sin? Sin is freely choosing to act against God. There are two types of sin, mortal sins and venial sins. Mortal sins are very serious. Mortal sins destroy our relationship with God, and reparations are needed to bring the relationship back together. A mortal sin can be compared to stealing your fiends girlfriend. Through your free will you choose to steal his girlfriend, even though you knew he would be mad. Because of your actions you are your friend are friends no more. It will take time and lots of talking to get the friendship back together.

Kenny

     I recently was watching a South Park episode where Kenny dies. Right as he is about to enter heaven a big access denied sign comes up. He then falls down to hell. As he is falling you see a sign that says Heaven population 1,650 and another sign that says Hell population 923,565,421,215 and it is sky rocketing up. Many of us believe that we will go to heaven simply because God is merciful, and no merciful God would send someone to hell. Yet, hell exists for a reason, and unfortunately, people go there. Those of us who choose to reject God are not headed for heaven. God gave us free choice and we can either accept of, or reject him. Heaven is not a easy place to get to. Only a small list of people who we consider holy enough for us to be sure they went to heaven exist. This is the list of Saints. If you are not living your life out as a Saint would, there is not promise you will go to heaven.

The Boston Bombings

I'd like to take the time to express our deepest condolences to the victims of the Boston Bombings that took place a few weeks ago. Recently in the media, all attention has been focused on the suspects and their lives rather than the victims which is simply despicable. As much as we need to learn what drove two brothers to commit such a horrible act, we must focus on the victims as well. These people had lives too, and now they're forever changed because of their injuries. Families are grieving, people are in pain, and the last thing this country needs is to give the terrorists what they wanted by publicizing the reasons they acted as they did. So please, everyone, make an effort to reach out and help the victims this week here at Strake by giving blood. Thank you.