In this week’s general audience, Pope Francis reflected on the  importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  It’s precisely through the Sacraments, he explained, that the seven spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are received, including wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. 

 

Pope’s Audience: Confirmation helps us ‘defend the faith’

 

In this week’s general audience, Pope Francis reflected on the  importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  It’s precisely through the Sacraments, he explained, that the seven spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are received, including wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.  
SUMMARY OF POPE’S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH: 
Dear Brothers and Sisters, 
 
In our continuing catechesis on the seven Sacraments, we now reflect on Confirmation, which, together with Baptism and the Eucharist, is one of the Sacraments of Christian initiation.  These Sacraments make us sharers in the death and Resurrection of Jesus and living members of His body, the Church.  In Confirmation, through the Sacramental sign of anointing with sacred chrism, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to be more closely conformed to Christ, God’s “anointed one.”  
 
We are also strengthened – “confirmed” – in the grace of our Baptism and in our mission of bearing daily witness to Christ and his love.  The working of the Holy Spirit in our lives is reflected in the seven spiritual gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.  
 
Today let us thank the Lord for the grace of our Confirmation and ask that, filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, we may always mirror Christ’s presence in our relations with others, our openness to those in need, and our living witness to the Gospel message of joy and peace.
 
I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims present at today’s Audience, especially those from Scotland, Ireland and the United States.  My special greeting goes to the pilgrimage group from the Diocese of Rapid City, accompanied by Bishop Robert Gruss.  Upon you and your families I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!