Activities and reflection for Confirmation: Filled with the Holy Spirit

Here we offer candidates an opportunity to reflect on how the fruits of the Holy Spirit make a difference in their daily lives. A different fruit of the Holy Spirit has been selected as the focus for each chapter in the Confirmation: Filled with the Holy Spirit, they proclaimed the Lord Jesus Candidate Book. The fruit of the Holy Spirit will first be defined and related to the chapter content. Through a variety of activities, the candidates will then explore how these special qualities and attitudes can be developed in the lives of Jesus’ followers. Finally, the candidates will respond to a “Living the Faith Makes a Difference” reflection question. Open and download the attached pdf file for each chapter and duplicate the page for each chapter to use with the candidates.

Chapter 1
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 1 is love. We exhibit the virtue of charity, or love, by our unselfish devotion and care for God and our neighbor. As you learned in Chapter 1, God has called, or gathered, us together as a community of believers. Each time we share in the celebration of the Eucharist, we come together in Jesus’ name to praise and worship the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to demonstrate our love for God and others as we gather together.

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Chapter 2
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 2 is faithfulness. We are faithful when we live out our commitment to the teachings of Jesus, the Scriptures, and the Catholic Church. Chapter 2 focused on the Liturgy of the Word that precedes the celebration of the rite of Confirmation. You reflected on the importance of listening attentively and responding to God’s word and making it part of your daily life.
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Chapter 3
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 3 is self-control. We exercise self-control by working to overcome the temptations we face and by trying always to do God’s will. In Chapter 3 you explored the renewal of baptismal promises, which is part of the rite of Confirmation. You learned that through this ritual you are invited to make deliberate choices to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

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Chapter 4
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 4 is goodness. We exhibit goodness when we honor God by avoiding sin and always trying to do what we know is right. Chapter 4 examined the Church practice of the laying on of hands in the Scriptures, in Church Tradition, and in the rite of Confirmation. Through this action we are called to share in Jesus’ mission. When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and act with goodness, we continue the work of Jesus by building up the Kingdom of God.

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Chapter 5
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 5 is patience. We demonstrate patience by treating others with thoughtfulness and tolerance. We know that we can overcome the temptations and sufferings of life because God is always with us. Chapter 5 explored the meaning of the anointing with Chrism during the rite of Confirmation. When we are anointed, we are strengthened to live as witnesses for Christ. We need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in order to become more patient people.

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Chapter 6
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 6 is peace. With peace in our hearts, the Holy Spirit frees us from worrying about trivial things. This fruit also helps us to work and pray for peace throughout the world. Chapter 6 focused on the significance of the exchange of peace in the rite of Confirmation and how it expresses peace, one of the effects, or fruits, of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

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Chapter 7
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 7 is generosity. We demonstrate the fruit of generosity when we are share our gifts and possessions with others. In Chapter 7 you learned that the Holy Spirit empowers you to participate in the Eucharist more fully, consciously, and actively. Our participation in the Eucharist enables us to recognize Christ in others, especially the poor and powerless of the world. When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we can express solidarity with others by our generous words and actions.

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Chapter 8
The fruit of the Holy Spirit for Chapter 8 is joy. We live with joy when we recognize that true happiness comes, not from money or possessions, but from knowing and following Christ. Chapter 8 focused on the last part of the celebration of Confirmation, the sending forth at the conclusion of the Eucharistic liturgy, when we are sent forth to evangelize by sharing the Good News of God’s love. Because we have come to know and love Christ better through our preparation for Confirmation, we accept this responsibility with joy.

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