| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| NEW rite of Confirmation valid? | Jason | Friday, March 18, 2005 |
Question: Is the NEW rite of Confirmation valid, since the bishop does not say the words "I confirm thee"? In Jesus and Mary, Jason |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Jason, Yes indeed it is valid as are all of the other rites for the sacraments. Remember that the sacraments do not "come from" words or rituals or ceremonies, rather they are from God. The correct words are required to make the celebration licit, and using non-approved formulas will likely cause an invalid sacrament. Rome has the authority to change the approved prayers of confirmation. The Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Confirmation specifically says that "The Sacrament of confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit". Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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