Article II. On the Form of Confirmation

I say. The form of the Sacrament of Confirmation consists in these words: "I sign you with the sign of the cross, and I confirm you with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"; although not all and each, just as they stand, are required essentially. This is clear both from Eugene IV, in the cited Decree, and from the constant practice and tradition of the Church. - Cf. De Augustinis, Thesis 2, p. 419.

Question 1. What do the aforesaid words of the form import, or what do they signify?

Resp. Through the words, I sign you with the sign of the cross, it is signified that just as a soldier is accustomed to be adorned with the insignia of his leader, so man through this sacrament is marked outwardly with the cross and inwardly with an invisible character as with the military sign of Christ. Through the words, I confirm you with the chrism of salvation, it is expressed that man through this sacrament, after the manner of an athlete, is anointed outwardly with chrism, but inwardly with the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit. But through the remaining words, in the name of the Father, etc., there is expressed the principal cause conferring the fullness of spiritual strength, which is the Most Holy Trinity; and at the same time the chief mystery of the Christian faith, which is proposed both as to be believed by men in Baptism and as to be held and openly professed in this sacrament. Cf. St. Thomas, 3, q. 72, art. 4. - Second Plenary Council of Baltimore, n. 247.

Question 2. What words of this form are essential?

Resp. For validity the following are altogether essential: 1st. the word I confirm, unless it is supplied by another synonymous word; 2nd. the expression of the Most Holy Trinity, as in Baptism; 3rd. the word you, by which the subject of the sacrament is designated; 4th. the words I sign you with the sign of the cross, and also the words with the chrism of salvation. But to say I strengthen for I confirm, or of sanctification for of salvation, would be only an accidental change. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 168.