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Confirmation Basics
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"When
the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place
together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a
strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they
were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted
and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as
the Spirit enabled them to proclaim." (Acts 2:1-4)
"Now
when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the
word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and
prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it
had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and
they received the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:14-17)
"While
Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the
country and came (down) to Ephesus where he found some disciples.
He said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became
believers?' They answered him, 'We have never even heard that
there is a Holy Spirit.' He said, 'How were you baptized?' They
replied, 'With the baptism of John.' Paul then said, 'John
baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to
believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.'
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. And when Paul laid (his) hands on them, the Holy Spirit
came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."
(Acts 19:1-6)
"Can.
790 This sacrament can be conferred at any time; it is most
becoming that it be administered during Pentecost week."
(1917 Code of Canon Law)
"[T]he
sacrament of Confirmation presupposes the sacrament of
Baptism." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and
"greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"[N]one
receive the effect of Confirmation, without the desire of
Confirmation" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and
"greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"Can.
793 From the oldest practice of the Church, just as in baptism, so
also in confirmation a sponsor is to be used, if this can be
done." (1917 Code of Canon Law)
"[O]ne
who is not yet confirmed should not stand for another in
Confirmation."
(St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest
theologian in the history of the Church")
"If
any one saith, that the ordinary minister of holy confirmation is
not the bishop alone, but any simple priest soever; let him be
anathema." (Council of Trent)
"If
any one saith, that they who ascribe any virtue to the sacred
chrism of confirmation, offer an outrage to the Holy Ghost; let
him be anathema." (Council of Trent)
"[I]t
matters not whether a man or a woman stand for one who is to be
confirmed." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and
"greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"Concerning
the point on which you sought to be informed, i.e. whether the
imposition of the bishop's hand were a greater sacrament than
Baptism, know that each is a great sacrament." (Pope St. Melchiades)
"Can.
791 Although the proper place for the administration of
confirmation is a church, for causes that the minister judges to
be just and reasonable, the sacrament can be conferred in any
decent place." (1917 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
881 It is desirable that the sacrament of confirmation be
celebrated in a church and indeed during Mass. However, for a just
and reasonable cause it may be celebrated apart from Mass and in
any fitting place." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
882 The ordinary minister of confirmation is a Bishop. A priest
can also validly confer this sacrament if he has the faculty to do
so, either from the general law or by way of a special grant from
the competent authority." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
787 Although this sacrament is not necessary as a means of
salvation, it is not permitted for anyone, when occasion arises,
to neglect it; indeed, pastors shall take care that the faithful
approach it at an opportune time." (1917 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
892 As far as possible the person to be confirmed is to have a
sponsor. The sponsor's function is to take care that the person
confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully
fulfils the duties inherent in this sacrament." (1983 Code of
Canon Law)
"Can.
890 The faithful are bound to receive this sacrament at the proper
time. Parents and pastors of souls, especially parish priests, are
to see that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the
sacrament and come to it at the opportune time." (1983 Code
of Canon Law)
"Can.
797 From a valid confirmation there arises between the one
confirmed and the sponsor a spiritual relationship by which the
sponsor is bound by the obligation of perpetual concern toward the
one confirmed and of taking care for his Christian
education." (1917 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
786 One not washed by the water of baptism cannot be validly
confirmed; moreover, in order that one be fruitfully and licitly
confirmed, he must be constituted in the state of grace, and if he
has obtained the use of reason, be sufficiently instructed."
(1917 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
891 The sacrament of confirmation is to be conferred on the
faithful at about the age of discretion, unless the Episcopal
Conference has decided on a different age, or there is a danger of
death or, in the judgement of the minister, a grave reason
suggests otherwise." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
77. If any deacon ruling the people without a bishop or priest
baptizes some, the bishop will have to confirm these by a
blessing; but if they should depart the world beforehand, in the
faith in which anyone of them has believed, that one can be
justified." (Council of Illiberi, c. 300/306 A.D.)
Error CONDEMNED by Pope St. Pius X in
"Lamentabili": "There is no proof that the rite of the sacrament of
confirmation was practiced by the apostles; but the formal
distinction between the two sacraments, namely, baptism and
confirmation, by no means goes back to the history of primitive
Christianity." (Pope St. Pius X, This proposition was condemned in
"Lamentabili", 1907 A.D.)
"Can.
889 §1 Every baptized person not yet confirmed and only such a
person is capable of receiving confirmation. §2 To receive
confirmation licitly outside the danger of death requires that a
person who has the use of reason be suitably instructed, properly
disposed, and able to renew the baptismal promises." (1983
Code of Canon Law)
"If
any one saith, that the confirmation of those who have been
baptized is an idle ceremony, and not rather a true and proper
sacrament; or that of old it was nothing more than a kind of
catechism, whereby they who were near adolescence gave an account
of their faith in the face of the Church; let him be
anathema." (Council of Trent)
"Though
he who is baptized is made a member of the Church, nevertheless he
is not yet enrolled as a Christian soldier. And therefore he is
brought to the bishop, as to the commander of the army, by one who
is already enrolled as a Christian soldier." (St. Thomas
Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the
history of the Church")
"The
bishop...after pouring oil and laying his hand on his head shall
say: I anoint thee with the holy oil in God the Father Almighty
and Christ Jesus and the Holy Ghost. And sealing him on the
forehead, he shall give him the kiss of peace and say: The Lord be
with you. And He who has been sealed shall say: And with thy
spirit." (St. Hippolytus, 3rd century A.D.)
"Can.
880 §1 The sacrament of confirmation is conferred by anointing
with chrism on the forehead in a laying on of hands, and by the
words prescribed in the approved liturgical books. §2 The chrism
to be used in the sacrament of confirmation must have been
consecrated by a Bishop, even when the sacrament is administered
by a priest." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"[A]ll
the sacraments are in some way necessary for salvation: but some,
so that there is no salvation without them; some as conducing to
the perfection of salvation; and thus it is that Confirmation is
necessary for salvation: although salvation is possible without
it, provided it be not omitted out of contempt." (St. Thomas
Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the
history of the Church")
"Can.
883 The following have, by law, the faculty to administer
confirmation: 1° within the confines of their jurisdiction, those
who in law are equivalent to a diocesan Bishop; 2° in respect of
the person to be confirmed, the priest who by virtue of his office
or by mandate of the diocesan Bishop baptizes an adult or admits a
baptized adult into full communion with the Catholic Church; 3°
in respect of those in danger of death, the parish priest or
indeed any priest." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"Can.
895 The names of those confirmed, the minister, the parents, the
sponsors and the place and date of the confirmation are to be
recorded in the confirmation register of the diocesan curia or,
wherever this has been prescribed by the Episcopal Conference or
by the diocesan Bishop, in the register to be kept in the
parochial archive. The parish priest must notify the parish priest
of the place of the baptism that the confirmation was conferred,
so that it be recorded in the baptismal register, in accordance
with can. 535 §2." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"The
imposition of the hands is designated by the anointing of the
forehead which by another name is called confirmation, because
through it the Holy Spirit is given for an increase (of grace) and
strength. Therefore, although a simple priest or presbyter is able
to give other anointings, this one, only the highest priest, that
is the bishop, ought to confer, because we read concerning the
Apostles alone, whose successors the bishops are, that through the
imposition of the hands they gave the Holy Spirit [cf. Acts 8:14
ff.]." (Pope Innocent III, "Cum venisset", 1204
A.D.)
"The
character of Confirmation, of necessity supposes the baptismal
character: so that, in effect, if one who is not baptized were to
be confirmed, he would receive nothing, but would have to be
confirmed again after receiving Baptism. The reason of this is
that, Confirmation is to Baptism as growth to birth... Now it is
clear that no one can be brought to perfect age unless he be first
born: and in like manner, unless a man be first baptized, he
cannot receive the sacrament of Confirmation." (St. Thomas
Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the
history of the Church")
"For the reason, then, that they had already received
legitimate and ecclesiastical Baptism, it was not necessary to
baptize them again. Rather, that only which was lacking was done
by Peter and John; and thus, prayer having been made over them,
and hands having been imposed on them, the Holy Spirit was invoked
and was poured out upon them. This is even now the practice among
us, so that those who are baptized in the Church are then brought
to the prelates of the Church; and through our prayer and the
imposition of hands, they receive the Holy Spirit and are
perfected with the seal of the Lord." (St. Cyprian of
Carthage, c. 254 A.D.)
"The sacrament which gives strength to
those who are reborn by baptism is for those who would fight for
Christ...those who are confirmed are signed with the Cross of
Christ... They are sealed with a blend of oil and balsam, called
chrism - oil, to symbolize the power of the Holy Ghost...balsam,
to symbolize the good odor of those who profess Christ while
mixing in the world. We are enrolled by bishops, who are like the
leaders in Christ's army: the imposition of hands reminds us that
the virtue and strength come from Christ." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor
of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the
Church")
"Can.
795 In order to be a sponsor it is required that one: 1° Also be
confirmed, having obtained the use of reason, and having the
intention of fulfilling the role; 2° Not belong to any heretical
or schismatic sect, or be under any penalty mentioned in Canon
765, n. 2, or be under a declaratory or condemnatory sentence; 3°
Not be the father, mother, or spouse of the one to be confirmed;
4° Be designated by the one being confirmed or the parents or the
guardians or, if these are absent or refuse [to name a sponsor],
by the minister or the pastor; 5° Physically touch personally or
through a procurator the one being confirmed in the very act of
confirmation." (1917 Code of Canon Law)
"All
have to wage the spiritual combat with our invisible enemies. But
to fight against visible foes, viz. against the persecutors of the
Faith, by confessing Christ's name, belongs to the confirmed, who
have already come spiritually to the age of virility, according to
1 John 2:14: 'I write unto you, young men, because you are strong,
and the word of God abideth in you, and you have overcome the
wicked one.' And therefore the character of Confirmation is a
distinctive sign, not between unbelievers and believers, but
between those who are grown up spiritually and those of whom it is
written: 'As new-born babes' (1 Peter 2:2)." (St. Thomas
Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the
history of the Church")
"Pope
Eusebius (Epistola 3 ad Episcopos Tusc.) says: 'The sacrament of
the imposition of the hand should be held in great veneration, and
can be given by none but the high priests. Nor is it related or
known to have been conferred in apostolic times by others than the
apostles themselves; nor can it ever be either licitly or validly
performed by others than those who stand in their place. And if
anyone presume to do otherwise, it must be considered null and
void; nor will such a thing ever be counted among the sacraments
of the Church.' Therefore it is essential to this sacrament, which
is called the sacrament of the imposition of the hand, that it be
given by a bishop." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church
and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"As
we have already observed, the soul, to which spiritual age
belongs, is immortal. Wherefore this sacrament should be given to
those on the point of death, that they may be seen to be perfect
at the resurrection, according to Ephesians 4:13: 'Until we all
meet into the unity of faith ... unto the measure of the age of
the fullness of Christ.' And hence Hugh of Saint Victor says (De
Sacramentis ii), 'It would be altogether hazardous, if anyone
happened to go forth from this life without being confirmed': not
that such a one would be lost, except perhaps through contempt;
but that this would be detrimental to his perfection. And
therefore even children dying after Confirmation obtain greater
glory, just as here below they receive more grace." (St.
Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian
in the history of the Church")
"[A]s
appears from its very name, this sacrament is given in order to
confirm what it finds already there. And consequently it should
not be given to those who are not in a state of grace. For this
reason, just as it is not given to the unbaptized, so neither
should it be given to the adult sinners, except they be restored
by Penance. Wherefore was it decreed in the Council of Orleans
(Canon 3) that 'men should come to Confirmation fasting; and
should be admonished to confess their sins first, so that being
cleansed they may be able to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'
And then this sacrament perfects the effects of Penance, as of
Baptism: because by the grace which he has received in this
sacrament, the penitent will obtain fuller remission of his
sin." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and
"greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"And
this sacrament of Confirmation is, as it were, the final
completion of the sacrament of Baptism; in the sense that by
Baptism man is built up into a spiritual dwelling, and is written
like a spiritual letter; whereas by the sacrament of Confirmation,
like a house already built, he is consecrated as a temple of the
Holy Ghost, and as a letter already written, is signed with the
sign of the cross. Therefore the conferring of this sacrament is
reserved to bishops, who possess supreme power in the Church: just
as in the primitive Church, the fullness of the Holy Ghost was
given by the apostles, in whose place the bishops stand (Acts 8).
Hence Pope Urban I says: 'All the faithful should, after Baptism,
receive the Holy Ghost by the imposition of the bishop's hand,
that they may become perfect Christians.'" (St. Thomas
Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the
history of the Church")
"[M]an
is spiritually advanced by this sacrament to perfect age. Now the
intention of nature is that everyone born corporally, should come
to perfect age: yet this is sometimes hindered by reason of the
corruptibility of the body, which is forestalled by death. But
much more is it God's intention to bring all things to perfection,
since nature shares in this intention inasmuch as it reflects Him:
hence it is written (Deuteronomy 32:4): 'The works of God are
perfect.' Now the soul, to which spiritual birth and perfect
spiritual age belong, is immortal; and just as it can in old age
attain to spiritual birth, so can it attain to perfect (spiritual)
age in youth or childhood; because the various ages of the body do
not affect the soul. Therefore this sacrament should be given to
all." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and
"greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"If
ever there was a time more demanding the diligence of pastors in
explaining the Sacrament of Confirmation, in these days certainly
it requires special attention, when there are found in the holy
Church of God many by whom this Sacrament is altogether omitted;
while very few seek to obtain from it the fruit of divine grace
which they should derive from its participation. Lest, therefore,
this divine blessing may seem, through their fault, and to their
most serious injury, to have been conferred on them in vain, the
faithful are to be instructed both on Whitsunday, on which day it
is principally administered, and also on such other days as
pastors shall deem convenient. Their instructions should so treat
the nature, power, and dignity of this Sacrament, that the
faithful may understand not only that it is not to be neglected,
but that it is to be received with the greatest piety and
devotion." (Catechism of the Council of Trent)
"But
in regard to the signing of little children, it is evident that it
may not be done by any other than a bishop. For the presbyters,
although they are second priests, nevertheless do not possess the
crown of the pontificate. That this power of a bishop, however, is
due to the bishops alone, so that they either sign or give the
Paraclete the Spirit, not only ecclesiastical custom indicates,
but also that reading in the Acts of the Apostles which declares
that Peter and John were directed to give the Holy Spirit to those
already baptized [cf. Acts 8:14-17]. For to presbyters it is
permitted to anoint the baptized with chrism whenever they
baptize, whether without a bishop or in the presence of a bishop,
but (with chrism) that has been consecrated by a bishop;
nevertheless (it is) not (allowed) to sign the forehead with the
same oil; that is due to the bishops alone when they bestow the
Spirit, the Paraclete." (Pope St. Innocent I, 416 A.D.)
"[I]n
this sacrament man receives the Holy Ghost for strength in the
spiritual combat, that he may bravely confess the Faith of Christ
even in face of the enemies of that Faith. Wherefore he is
fittingly signed with the sign of the cross on the forehead, with
chrism, for two reasons. First, because he is signed with the sign
of the cross, as a soldier with the sign of his leader, which
should be evident and manifest. Now, the forehead, which is hardly
ever covered, is the most conspicuous part of the human body.
Wherefore the confirmed is anointed with chrism on the forehead,
that he may show publicly that he is a Christian: thus too the
apostles after receiving the Holy Ghost showed themselves in
public, whereas before they remained hidden in the upper room.
Secondly, because man is hindered from freely confessing Christ's
name, by two things - by fear and by shame. Now both these things
betray themselves principally on the forehead on account of the
proximity of the imagination, and because the (vital) spirits
mount directly from the heart to the forehead: hence 'those who
are ashamed, blush, and those who are afraid, pale' (Ethica
Nicomachea iv). And therefore man is signed with chrism, that
neither fear nor shame may hinder him from confessing the name of
Christ." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and
"greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"The
second sacrament is confirmation; its matter is the chrism
prepared from the oil, which signifies the excellence of
conscience, and from the balsam, which signifies the fragrance of
a good reputation, and is blessed by a bishop. The form is: 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 Ghost. The ordinary minister is a bishop. And although a
simple priest has the power in regard to other anointings only a
bishop can confer this sacrament, because according to the
apostles, whose place the bishops hold, we read that through the
imposition of hands they conferred the Holy Spirit, just as the
lesson of the Acts of the Apostles reveals: 'Now, when the
apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that the Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who,
when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the
Holy Ghost. For He was not as yet come upon any of them: but they
were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid
their hands upon them; and they received the Holy Ghost' [Acts
8:14 ff.]. But in the Church confirmation is given in place of
this imposition of hands. Nevertheless we read that at one time,
by dispensation of the Apostolic See for a reasonable and urgent
cause, a simple priest administered this sacrament of confirmation
after the chrism had been prepared by the bishop. The effect of
this sacrament, because in it the Holy Spirit is given for
strength, was thus given to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost,
so that the Christian might boldly confess the name of Christ. The
one to be confirmed, therefore, must be anointed on the forehead,
which is the seat of reverence, so that he may not be ashamed to
confess the name of Christ and especially His Cross, which is
indeed a 'stumbling block to the Jews and unto the Gentiles
foolishness' [cf. 1 Cor. 1:23] according to the Apostle; for which
reason one is signed with the sign of the Cross." (Pope
Eugenius IV, "Exultate Deo", 1439 A.D.)
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Confirmation (Topic Page)
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"The
Holy Ghost bestows at the font the fullness of innocence; but in
Confirmation He confers an increase of grace." (Pope St. Melchiades)
"The
water gives us our spiritual birth; the chrism gives us strength;
and, until such time as we have received its holy anointing, we
have not yet the perfect character of a Christian." (Dom
Gueranger)
"In
the sacrament of Confirmation we receive the fullness of the Holy
Ghost in order to be strengthened" (St. Thomas Aquinas,
Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history
of the Church")
"[S]anctifying
grace is given not only for the remission of sin, but also for
growth and stability in righteousness. And thus is it bestowed in
this sacrament." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church
and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"This
sacrament is given in order to confer a certain excellence, not
indeed, like the sacrament of order, of one man over another, but
of man in regard to himself: thus the same man, when arrived at
maturity, excels himself as he was when a boy." (St. Thomas
Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the
history of the Church")
"In
this sacrament...the Holy Ghost is given to the baptized for
strength: just as He was given to the apostles on the day of
Pentecost, as we read in Acts 2; and just as He was given to the
baptized by the imposition of the apostles' hands, as related in
Acts 8:17." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and
"greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"Can.
879 The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and
obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and
deed and to spread and defend the faith. It imprints a character,
enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on
the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to
the Church." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"To
a Christian, strength is salvation; for man's life on earth is a
warfare. Glory, then, be to our Risen Jesus, who foreseeing the
attacks that would be made against us, has armed us for the
battle, and, in this admirable sacrament of confirmation, has
given us the divine Spirit, who proceeds from himself and the
Father, that we might be strong and invincible!" (Dom
Gueranger)
"Such
is the importance of the sacrament of confirmation, that until
such time as we have received it, we cannot be considered as
perfect Christians. It is true that, by virtue of our baptism, we
are children of God, members of Christ and his Church; but, as
Christians, we are soldiers: we have to confess our faith,
sometimes before tyrants, and even to the shedding of our blood;
sometimes before the world, whose false seductive maxims are the
occasion of so many apostasies; sometimes against Satan and his
wicked angels, whose power is so justly feared by the servants of
Christ. The seal of the Holy Ghost confers on us a degree of
strength which baptism does not give. Baptism made us citizens of
the Church; confirmation makes us soldiers of God and of his
Christ. Again, it is true that we can fight and conquer with the
armor of baptism; such is God's will, who knows that the sacrament
which perfects the Christian is oftentimes an impossibility; but,
woe to them that neglect to receive the completion of their
baptism!" (Dom Gueranger)
"Now
it is evident that in the life of the body a certain special
perfection consists in man's attaining to the perfect age, and
being able to perform the perfect actions of a man: hence the
Apostle says (1 Corinthians 13:11): 'When I became a man, I put
away the things of a child.' And thence it is that besides the
movement of generation whereby man receives life of the body,
there is the movement of growth, whereby man is brought to the
perfect age. So therefore does man receive spiritual life in
Baptism, which is a spiritual regeneration: while in Confirmation
man arrives at the perfect age, as it were, of the spiritual life.
Hence Pope Melchiades says: 'The Holy Ghost, Who comes down on the
waters of Baptism bearing salvation in His flight, bestows at the
font, the fullness of innocence; but in Confirmation He confers an
increase of grace. In Baptism we are born again unto life; after
Baptism we are strengthened.' And therefore it is evident that
Confirmation is a special sacrament." (St. Thomas Aquinas,
Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history
of the Church")
"[J]ust
as Baptism is a spiritual regeneration unto Christian life, so
also is Confirmation a certain spiritual growth bringing man to
perfect spiritual age. But it is evident, from a comparison with
the life of the body, that the action which is proper to man
immediately after birth, is different from the action which is
proper to him when he has come to perfect age. And therefore by
the sacrament of Confirmation man is given a spiritual power in
respect of sacred actions other than those in respect of which he
receives power in Baptism. For in Baptism he receives power to do
those things which pertain to his own salvation, forasmuch as he
lives to himself: whereas in Confirmation he receives power to do
those things which pertain to the spiritual combat with the
enemies of the Faith. This is evident from the example of the
apostles, who, before they received the fullness of the Holy
Ghost, were in the 'upper room ... persevering ... in prayer'
(Acts 1:13,14); whereas afterwards they went out and feared not to
confess their faith in public, even in the face of the enemies of
the Christian Faith." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the
Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the
Church")
"But
not only does [Confirmation] confirm, it also increases (divine
grace), as says Melchiades: The Holy Ghost, whose salutary descent
upon the waters of Baptism, imparts in the font fullness to the
accomplishment of innocence, in Confirmation gives an increase of
grace; and not only an increase, but an increase after a wonderful
manner. This the Scriptures beautifully express by a metaphor
taken from clothing: Stay you in the city, said our Lord and
Savior, speaking of this Sacrament, until you be clothed with
power from on high... to show the divine efficacy of this
Sacrament...it will be sufficient...[to] explain what occurred to
the Apostles themselves. So weak and timid were they before, and
even at the very time of that Passion, that no sooner was our Lord
apprehended, then they instantly fled; and Peter, who had been
designated the rock and foundation of the Church, and who had
displayed unshaken constancy and exalted magnanimity, terrified at
the voice of one weak woman, denied, not just once or twice only,
but a third time, that he was a disciple of Jesus Christ; and after
the Resurrection they all remained shut up at home for fear of the
Jews. But, on the day of Pentecost, so great was the power of the
Holy Ghost with which they were all filled that, while they boldly
and freely disseminated the Gospel confided to them, not only
through Judea, but throughout the world, they thought no greater
happiness could await them than that of being accounted worthy to
suffer contumely, chains, torments and crucifixion, for the name
of Christ." (Catechism of the Council of Trent)
Also
See: Confirmation
(Gen'l. Info.)
| Confirmation
(Catechism of the Council of Trent) | Confirmation
Basics / Misc. | Baptism
/ Confirmation | Character
Imprinted on the Soul | Confirmation
(Topical Scripture)
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