Question — Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology
Question Fifth. On the Ceremonies of Confirmation
94. On the rite to be observed. The rite to be observed in confirmation is set forth by the Roman Pontifical; this rite, in matters of greater moment, obliges under grave sin.
Confirmation is ordinarily to be conferred in a church; nevertheless, when some cause exists, to be judged by the discretion of the bishop, it can also be conferred outside a church in a becoming place, as if those to be confirmed are the sick or adults who, from a just cause, cannot approach the church.
Since confirmation, according to the Pontifical, can be conferred less solemnly on any day, at any hour, and in any place, nothing prevents a bishop, from a reasonable cause, from confirming in any chapel without mitre and crozier, using only rochet and stole; indeed, from a just cause he can do this even privately, using only a stole.1
The so-called "blow" does not seem to be anything other than a sign of charity and peace. For in antiquity the confirming bishop, saying The Lord be with you or The God of the humble be with you, kissed the one to be confirmed. In the course of time, in place of the kiss, for the sake of propriety, there succeeded a light touch, which the scholastics called a "blow."2
According to the Pontifical the forehead of the confirmed person must be bound with a band, both lest the chrism flow down, and so that it may be signified that the grace received must be diligently preserved. This band, which formerly was worn for several days, is now for the most part not used.
The one to be confirmed, in confirmation, when the bishop says: N., I sign thee with the sign of the cross, can take care that, besides his baptismal name, another name of a Saint be imposed on him.3
1 Holy Office, 12 Feb. 1851.
2 Cf. Dolger, p. 155.
3 Cn. 797.
95. On the sponsors of confirmation.1 1. From ancient custom and from the prescription of the canons, in confirmation, just as in baptism, a sponsor is to be used, if one can be had.
- a. There is to be only one sponsor for each one to be confirmed.
b. A sponsor is to present only one or two; but more only with the permission of the bishop.
It is plainly forbidden that one male sponsor hold all the boys and one female sponsor all the girls, unless an apostolic indult is present.
- From valid confirmation there arises a spiritual relationship between the confirmed person and the sponsor, and the obligation of having the confirmed person perpetually commended to himself and of caring for his Christian education.2
1 S. C. R., 20 Sept. 1749, n. 2404.
2 Cn. 793-797.
96. On the conditions required for the office of sponsor. 1. In order that someone be validly a sponsor, there is required:
a. That he have the use of reason and the intention of performing this office.
b. That he be confirmed.
Since it can sometimes happen that in mission places no one confirmed is present who may act as sponsor, in this case it is permitted that first some be confirmed without a sponsor, who then themselves can be sponsors of others.1
c. That he be enrolled in no heretical or schismatic sect, etc., as above n. 78.2
d. That he not be the father, mother, or spouse of the one to be confirmed.
e. That he be designated by the one to be confirmed or by his parents or guardians, or, if these are lacking, by the minister or by the pastor.
f. That he physically touch the one to be confirmed in the very act of confirmation, either personally or through a proxy.
Indeed, in antiquity the custom was that the one to be confirmed placed his right foot upon the right foot of the sponsor; now, however, according to approved custom, the sponsor places his right hand upon the right shoulder of the one to be confirmed.
1 S. C. de Prop. Fide, 4 May 1774.
2 The printed text reads "n. 91," evidently in error; the reference required by the matter is n. 78, on the conditions required for valid sponsorship in baptism.
97. In order that someone be licitly a sponsor, there is required:
a. That he be different from the sponsor of baptism, unless the minister from a reasonable cause permits otherwise, or confirmation is conferred immediately after baptism.
b. That he be of the same sex as the one to be confirmed, unless the minister in a particular case from a reasonable cause permits otherwise.
c. That he have reached the fourteenth year of age, unless for a just cause something else seems good to the minister.
d. That he not be unworthy, as above n. 80.1
e. That he know the rudiments of faith.
f. That he not be a novice or professed member in any religion, unless necessity urges and the express permission of the Superior, at least local, is had.
g. That he not be constituted in sacred orders, unless the permission of his own ordinary is added.
A priest who by apostolic indult administers the sacrament cannot at the same time act as sponsor.2 If the confirming bishop wished to be the sponsor of the one to be confirmed, he would have to do this through a proxy.3
On the recording of confirmation.4 1. The pastor is to enter the names of the minister, of those confirmed, etc., in a special book.
- If the proper pastor of the confirmed person was not present, the minister, either personally or through another, is to inform him as soon as possible about the confirmation conferred.
1 The printed text reads "n. 92," evidently in error; the reference required by the matter is n. 80, on the conditions required for licit sponsorship in baptism.
2 S. C. de Prop. Fide, 21 Sept. 1843.
3 S. C. R., 14 June 1873.
4 Cn. 798-799.