Page:Delineation of Roman Catholicism.djvu/238

 20 COIqFIRIf&TION. [Boor II. "That such is its matter, the church and her councils lmve uniformly taught, and the same doctrine has been handed down to u8 by St. Dennis, and by many other fathers of authority too great tO be ques- rioned, particularly by Pope Fabian, who testifies that the apesties received the composition of chrism from our Lord and transmitted it to us: that this its 801emn consecration is in accordance with the instruc- tions of our' Lord, when, at his last supper, he committed to his apos- tles the manner of making chrism, (Catechism, p. 18�we learn from Pope Fabian." But the misfortune is, that the letter ascribed to Pope Fabian has been proved to be a forgery, as is acknowledged by Dens, who says: "This epistle of Fabian is now, among learned men, esteemed as 8upposititious and apocryphal, as also the other decretal letters before Pope Siricius."* Thus the principal support which this fabricated statement of the authors of the Catechism rests on is a forged letter ascribed falsely to this pope. The ointment is to be put on the front of the person in the form of the sign of the cross. This consists of the following words: "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 Catechism says, (p. 186,) "There are three things that demand parti- cular attention; the divine power, which, as a primary cause, operates in the sacrament; the spiritual strength which it imparts to the faithful unto salvation; and, lastly, the sign impressed on him who is to en- gage in the warfare of Christ." Prayer and imposition of hands accompany the form, or are component parts thereof. V. The minister. Bishops alone are the ordinary ministers of confirmation; but simple priests, by delegation, may also confer it. VI. Subjects of confirmation. ' "Confirmation may be administered to all as soon as they have been baptized; but until children shall have reached the use of reason its administration is inexpedient. If not postponed to the age of twelve, it should therefore be deferred till the age of seven."t It is not to be administered to the dying, yet it may be conferred upon insane per- sons. Per the valid reception of this sacrament, the /ntent/on of merely receiving it is sufficient. But to receive it profitably a state of grace is necessary, together with devotion and proper instruction. Previous prayer is also required. VII. E'eets ofconrmat/on. 1. It is said to confer grace and rem/t s/ntto perfect the grace of baptism. By virtue of it God confirms in us what was commenced in baptism, and conducts to the perfection of solid Christian virtue. It also increases divine grace in the soul. Dens informs us�at this grace is strengthening and comforting, having anriexed to it the abundance of virtues and the seven girls of the Holy Spirit; because in this sacrament the Holy Spirit, or the lenitude of grace, is especially given; not that greater grace cannot oe given, but because this is a full complement, perfecting man in
 * Truer. de Bapt., No. 3, vol. ; 251. ' Catechism, p. 18ik
 *  (atechism, p. 190. Confinn., No. 10, vol v, p. 250.

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