CHAPTER III: ON THE SUBJECT OF CONFIRMATION

1276. - The subject of the Sacrament of Confirmation is every and only baptized man not yet confirmed, although lacking the use of reason. For Confirmation perfects the spiritual life which is received in Baptism, and it was instituted for all, as was Baptism.

Nevertheless, from the practice generally prevailing in the Church, children who have not yet obtained the use of reason are not to be confirmed, except for peculiar reasons, for example in danger of death.³

1277. Questions. - Query 1° Whether, or of what kind, is the obligation of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Resp. 1° There is no obligation by necessity of means. For even through Baptism alone remission of sins and eternal life can be had.

Resp. 2° According to St. Alphonsus⁴ there is an obligation binding under grave sin from divine precept, at least in the course of life, and when a suitable occasion is given; and he proves this from the Declaration of Benedict XIV in the Bull Etsi pastoralis concerning the rites and dogmas of the Greeks, where⁵ he says: "They are to be warned" (those who are not confirmed) "by the Ordinaries of places, that they are held guilty of grave sin if, when they can approach Confirmation, they refuse and neglect it."

Query 2° What must be done in doubt whether someone has been confirmed?

Resp. He can be confirmed again under condition, as is clear from what has been said in n. 1213. But one is not held to this, if he truly probably believes that he has received this Sacrament.¹

Query 3° What dispositions are required in those to be confirmed?

Resp. There is required: 1° the baptismal character for the validity of the Sacrament, and moreover in an adult the intention of receiving the Sacrament, as is established from what has been said in n. 1238. III. 1240. R. 2°.

2° The state of grace, because Confirmation is a Sacrament of the living. Wherefore he who is conscious of mortal sin must have recourse to the Sacrament of Penance, unless he is perfectly contrite.

3° That the one to be confirmed be imbued with the rudiments of Christian doctrine, especially those which are of necessity of means, and which regard the Sacraments of Penance and Confirmation.

4° That he have a Patron. Concerning this note these hortatory words of the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore:² "The Bishops will move every stone, so that discipline of this kind" (namely of employing Patrons in Confirmation), "already introduced in some dioceses of these Provinces, be introduced everywhere. But those confirmed shall each have individual Patrons, nor, however, shall males perform the office of Patron for females, nor females for males. But if this altogether cannot be done, at least two Patrons are to be employed for boys, and two Matrons for girls." The journal Pastoral-Blatt fuer Nordamerika³ thinks that one male or one female can be employed for both sexes, where two cannot be found. Besides, Patrons for Confirmation must have the same qualities as Patrons for Baptism.⁴

But "the Patron places the right hand upon the right shoulder of the one to be confirmed, which custom is different from that which is prescribed in the Pontifical, but has been approved by the S. C. R. on 20 Sept. 1749." Cf. L. VI. 187, § fin.¹

5° "Whenever Confirmation is administered to many, we establish," say the Fathers of the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore,³ "that slips, on which the names of those who are to be confirmed are inscribed, are to be given by the pastor to each one, which they are to exhibit to the Bishop about to administer the Sacrament."

Query 4° Must the one to be confirmed be fasting?

Resp. Negatively, considering the custom of today, and the same holds concerning the one confirming. For the canonical laws which prescribed fasting for receiving Confirmation have gone into desuetude. Therefore also the practice of conferring this Sacrament in the evening time has prevailed; but it can be conferred on any day.¹