Appendix: On the Ceremonies of Confirmation

S. Th. III, q. 72, a. 10 and 12.

193. The accidental ceremonies to be used by the bishop in the conferral of Confirmation are indicated in the Roman Pontifical; per se they oblige under grave obligation, although certain things of lesser moment are prescribed under light obligation only (n. 106). The following are to be noted:

1. The imposition and extension of hands at the beginning over all who are to be confirmed; although it is a mere ceremony not required for validity, nevertheless all are bound to be present for it (can. 789).

2. The slap given on the cheek, so that the confirmed person may remember that, as a strong athlete, he ought to be ready to bear all adversities for the name of Christ, as they now explain symbolically;¹ yet anciently it seems to have been the kiss of peace, to which, in the course of time, by reason of decency with respect to women, a light touch succeeded.² Otherwise it is judged a ceremony of lesser moment which obliges only under light obligation.

¹ Roman Catechism, part 2, c. 3, n. 26.

² Dölger, o.c., p. 155.

3. The common blessing which is given at the end, and at which all ought to be present (can. 789).

4. The ceremony of the candle is not prescribed in the Pontifical but introduced by use alone.

5. The bandage or linen ribbon with which the forehead of the confirmed person is to be bound no longer obliges by custom, provided the anointed part is diligently wiped, lest the chrism flow down.

6. The fast which is commanded to those to be confirmed in the Pontifical is only of counsel; whence the custom has prevailed that the sacrament is administered to those not fasting, indeed after lunch.

7. Another name, besides the baptismal name, can be imposed by the bishop; it need not be (S.C.R., September 20, 1749).

8. The sacred vestments are prescribed to be put on by the bishop; nevertheless, from any just cause he can administer without miter and staff, with rochet and stole used, indeed privately even with the stole alone (Holy Office, February 12, 1851; can. 783, § 2).

The manner in which a simple priest by delegation of the Holy See must minister is indicated in the Instruction of the S.C.P.F., May 4, 1774 (Holy Office, July 1888), placed in the appendix to the Roman Ritual, and in the recent Instruction of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments, May 20, 1934: he cannot assume pontifical insignia, but should use surplice and stole, or also a cope; and he is bound to read out and explain his delegation to the people.

194. Time and place of Confirmation. - 1. Confirmation can be conferred at any time, but it is especially becoming for it to be administered in the week of Pentecost (can. 790). Formerly it was conferred especially, like Baptism, on the vigils of Easter and Pentecost.

2. The proper place for administering Confirmation is a church; nevertheless, from a cause which the minister judges just and reasonable, this sacrament can be conferred in any other decent place (can. 791). To minister in an indecent place, unless for a grave cause, would be a grave sin.

3. A bishop has the right of administering Confirmation within the boundaries of his diocese also in exempt places (can. 792).

195. A sponsor, according to the most ancient custom of the Church, is to be employed in Confirmation as in Baptism, if he can be had (can. 793). This obligation of itself is grave (Holy Office, September 5, 1877).

St. Thomas gives the reason, a. 10: "This sacrament is given to man for the strength of spiritual combat. But just as one newly born needs an instructor in those things which pertain to the conservation of life..., so those who are assumed for combat need teachers by whom they may be instructed concerning those things which pertain to the manner of combat.... And on account of this also he who receives this sacrament is held by another, as though to be instructed by another in spiritual combat. - Likewise also because through this sacrament the perfection of spiritual age is conferred on man..., and therefore he who approaches this sacrament is sustained, as though still spiritually weak and a child."

Let there be only one male sponsor, or one female sponsor, for each one to be confirmed (can. 794, § 2); nor are one male and one female permitted as in Baptism. But a sponsor should present only one or two to be confirmed, unless something else seems fitting for a just cause (can. 794, § 1). Whence, if a just cause is present, the minister can permit that there be only one male sponsor for all males, and one female sponsor for all females (S.C.C., June 14 and July 12, 1823), as is accustomed to happen in many places.

That someone validly be a sponsor, conditions similar to those for sponsors of Baptism are required, namely, from can. 795:

1. That he himself also be confirmed, have attained the use of reason, and have the intention of carrying out this office;

2. That he be enrolled in no heretical or schismatic sect, nor be excommunicated by condemnatory or declaratory sentence, or infamous with infamy of law, or excluded from legitimate acts, nor be a cleric deposed or degraded;

3. That he not be the father, mother, or spouse of the one to be confirmed;

4. That he be designated by the one to be confirmed or by his parents or tutors, or, if these are lacking or refuse, by the minister or by the pastor;

5. That he physically touch the one to be confirmed in the very act of Confirmation, by himself or through a proxy. For this it suffices that he place his right hand upon the right shoulder of the one to be confirmed.

The conditions oblige under grave obligation.

That someone be licitly admitted to the office of sponsor, it is necessary from can. 796:

1. That he be someone other than the sponsor of Baptism, unless a reasonable cause, in the judgment of the minister, persuades otherwise, or Confirmation is legitimately conferred immediately after Baptism;

2. That he be of the same sex as the one to be confirmed, unless something else seems fitting to the minister in particular cases from a reasonable cause;

3. That all things be present which are required for the sponsor of Baptism (n. 171, 4).

The effect of the office of sponsor is such that, as from Baptism, so also from valid Confirmation, there arises between the confirmed person and the sponsor a spiritual relationship, from which the sponsor is held by the obligation of having the confirmed person perpetually commended to himself and of caring for his Christian education (can. 797), namely if the confirmed person is in need and another is lacking; nevertheless there does not arise an impediment diriment of matrimony.

196. Observations. - 1. Let the pastor inscribe in a special book the names of the minister, of those confirmed, of the parents and sponsors, and the day and place of Confirmation; and let him write in the book of the baptized a notation of Confirmation conferred (can. 798 and 470, § 2).

2. If the proper pastor of the confirmed person was not present, concerning the Confirmation conferred the minister either by himself or through another should as soon as possible make the same pastor certain (can. 799); this burden also lies upon Cardinals themselves (can. 239, § 1 - n. 23).

3. To prove conferred Confirmation, provided prejudice is done to no one, one witness beyond every exception is enough, or the oath of the confirmed person himself, unless he was confirmed in infancy (can. 800).