The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Sacrament of Confirmation within the Catholic Church sees Pentecost as the Scriptural foundation (The New Theological Movement, 2011). In Acts 2:1-4 on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability (NRSV).
During Pentecost the Apostles received 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts were: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and the Fear of the Lord. The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are received during the Sacrament of Baptism and Strengthened within through the Laying on of Hands during the Rite of Confirmation.
Biblical references
Class resources
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability (NRSV).
During Pentecost the Apostles received 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts were: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and the Fear of the Lord. The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are received during the Sacrament of Baptism and Strengthened within through the Laying on of Hands during the Rite of Confirmation.
Biblical references
- Before Jesus left his apostles he promised to baptize them with the Holy Spirit to enable them to spread the Gospel of the Lord to the ends of the earth - Acts 1:5-8
Class resources
- The coming of the Holy Spirit - Godly Play Script
- Online quiz on the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Read chapters 28 and 29 of The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers and complete the Baptism and Confirmation Crossword puzzle
- Complete a prayer from the heart for each of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and draw a picture or symbol - 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit Worksheet
- View YouTube presentation of Pentecost and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit - explained by Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl
The Catechism of the Catholic Church