Xxix. Of The Sacrament Of Confirmation; Of Its Nature And Necessity; Of The Duties It Implies; And Of The Religious Know
XXIX. OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION; OF ITS NATURE AND NECESSITY; OF THE DUTIES IT IMPLIES; AND OF THE RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY FOR THE RECEPTION THEREOF
(A)
Is the grace of Baptism sufficient in order to lead the Christian life in its perfection?
No; for the grace of Baptism is as it were only the grace of commencing the Christian life; it gives the spiritual life of grace but it does not make us grow therein (LXV. 1; LXXII. 7, Obj. 1).
What are the other graces which have this effect?
They are the grace of Confirmation and the grace of the Holy Eucharist (LXV. 1).
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is that sacrament of the New Law whereby we receive the grace which makes us grow in the life of Jesus Christ received by the grace of Baptism (LXXII. 1).
In what does this sacrament consist?
It consists in an anointing done in the form of a cross, upon the forehead of the person being confirmed, with the holy chrism, and at the same time the following words are pronounced by the minister of the sacrament: "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. Amen" (LXXII. 2, 4, 9).
What does the holy chrism signify that is used as the matter of this sacrament?
It signifies the fulness of the grace of the Holy Spirit which leads the Christian through life and makes him spread around as it were the perfume of the Christian virtues. Indeed, the holy chrism is made of olive oil, which symbolizes grace, and the odoriferous plant of balsam (LXXII. 2).
What do the words pronounced by the minister, which are the form of this sacrament, mean?
They mean three things: The source or the cause whence is derived the spiritual strength which is the effect of this sacrament; this cause or source is the august Trinity. They mean also the strength itself conferred by the sacrament when these words are said: "I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation." Lastly, they signify the distinctive mark of a soldier of Christ, armed for the combats encountered in the Christian life; and this mark is the sign of the cross which is the instrument of triumph of our Lord and King Jesus Christ (LXXII. 4).
Confirmation then is, properly speaking, the sacrament of Christian manhood making the child into a man capable of withstanding all the enemies of his life as a Christian?
The sacrament of Confirmation is precisely this; and for this reason its ordinary minister is a bishop to whom it belongs officially to promote perfection in the Church of God (LXXII. 11).
Why is a godfather or a godmother given to those who are confirmed?
Because it is the custom to give instructors to those newly enrolled in an army (LXXII. 10).
(B)
Does the sacrament of Confirmation impress a character?
Yes; and for this reason it can be received only once (LXXII. 5).
If at the reception of Confirmation one is not in the proper conditions in order to receive its fruits, is it possible afterwards, by putting oneself in the proper conditions, to receive these fruits?
Yes; for the character remains and the fruits will come as soon as the obstacles are removed. For this reason it is a good thing to make the grace of this sacrament re-live in us.
Is it necessary for the reception of this sacrament that one be well instructed in the things of faith and in the Christian life?
Yes; and this not only to live a good life oneself, but to be able to defend the true Christian life against all who attack it (LXXII. 4, Obj. 3).