On Confirmation

If the first imposition of hands was omitted, Confirmation is not therefore to be repeated, nor even under condition. S. C. de P. F. 6 Aug. 1840.

Cf. Instr. and Decrees S. C. de P. F. at Acta S. Sed. Vol. 7, p. 306 ff.

"Whether, in the administration of the sacrament of Confirmation, a Bishop can, as the Predecessor in the Diocese of Policastro had been accustomed to do, sustain the parts of Minister and Sponsor at one and the same time, namely with the right hand to sign the forehead of the one to be Confirmed with sacred Chrism as Minister, and with the left to hold the Confirmand himself as Sponsor? Resp. Let the confirming Bishop in the case perform the office of Sponsor through a Procurator." S. R. C. 14 June 1875.

Whether the same person can be sponsor who lifts the infant from the sacred font and receives the same in the sacrament of confirmation. Resp. Negatively, unless however necessity compels. Chap. 100, dist. 4, On consecration. Cf. Acta S. Sed. Vol. 16, p. 537 ff. The matter is nevertheless light, if anyone acts otherwise. St. Alph., bk. 6, n. 187.

"But because it can happen that in places of Missions no one is present who has previously been confirmed, it is permitted in this case that some be confirmed without sponsor, who afterwards will be able to be sponsors of the others." Instr. S. C. de P. F. 4 May 1774.

"1. Since in the Rubrics concerning the sacrament of Confirmation it is said: Adults or other older persons place their foot upon the right foot of their Sponsor, it is asked whether it suffices if the Sponsor places his right hand upon the right shoulder of the one to be confirmed? 2. Whether the one to be confirmed, at the time of Confirmation, when the Bishop says: N., I sign you with the sign of the Cross, etc., besides his baptismal name, can take care that another name of a Saint be imposed on himself? To the 1st, that it suffices. To the 2nd, that he can." S. R. C. 20 Sept. 1749.

Confirmation can be administered without miter and cope "with grave and urgent cause," S. C. de P. F. 22 March 1669. "A cause being present, that one can confirm privately without miter and pastoral staff, with a stole employed." S. O. 12 Feb. 1851.

"Whether Confirmation and Extreme Unction are to be given to those neophytes who, baptized in the article of death, are altogether rude and, worn out by the force of disease, cannot be instructed? Resp. Neither the Sacrament of Confirmation nor of Extreme Unction is to be conferred on those dying neophytes whom the Missionary believed capable of baptism, unless they have at least some intention of receiving Confirmation for strength to be added to their soul, and of receiving Sacred Unction for the benefit of the soul ordained for the time of death." S. C. I. 10 Apr. 1861.

"The simultaneous conferral of Baptism and Confirmation in children is not to be admitted, unless perhaps in danger of death, according to practice." S. C. de P. F. 21 March 1851.