§ 2. On the Form of Confirmation

1496. Consequently to those things which we have said concerning the matter, these things must be held concerning the form:

I. The form of the Sacrament of Confirmation consists in these words, which accompany the anointing, namely: I sign thee with the sign of the cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is established from the Roman Catechism,⁴ where it is said that "this is the true and absolute form of this Sacrament," and it is added that "the authority of the Catholic Church does not allow anything to be doubted concerning this matter." Eugene IV hands down the same form in the decree to the Armenians.⁵

"In this form, as St. Thomas teaches, all things which are contained in this Sacrament are adequately explained, namely the SIGN of the army of Christ, when the confirmed are enrolled by those words, I sign thee with the sign of the cross; the EFFECT of the Sacrament, that is, strengthening grace, by those words, I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation; and the CAUSE OF GRACE, namely the Most Holy Trinity, by those words, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."⁶

II. To the ESSENCE pertain: the words sign and confirm; the expression of the Trinity, which is invoked earlier by the Greeks; the word thee; likewise sign of the cross, chrism of salvation.

The change would be ACCIDENTAL if one said I strengthen for I confirm, or of sanctification for of salvation.

The form of the Greeks is: The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit: in which, according to the character of that language, behold or is given to thee is understood. This form is indeed valid, as Urban VIII declared.⁷