ST III, q. 72

Of the Sacrament of Confirmation

We have now to consider the Sacrament of Confirmation. Concerning this there are twelve points of inquiry:

(1) Whether Confirmation is a sacrament?

(2) Its matter;

(3) Whether it is essential to the sacrament that the chrism should have been previously consecrated by a bishop?

(4) Its form;

(5) Whether it imprints a character?

(6) Whether the character of Confirmation presupposes the character of Baptism?

(7) Whether it bestows grace?

(8) Who is competent to receive this sacrament?

(9) In what part of the body?

(10) Whether someone is required to stand for the person to be confirmed?

(11) Whether this sacrament is given by bishops only?

(12) Of its rite.

Articles

  1. a. 1Whether confirmation is a sacrament?
  2. a. 2Whether chrism is a fitting matter for this sacrament?
  3. a. 3Whether it is essential to this sacrament that the chrism which is its matter be previously consecrated by a bishop?
  4. a. 4Whether the proper form of this sacrament is: "I sign thee with the sign of the cross," etc.?
  5. a. 5Whether the sacrament of Confirmation imprints a character?
  6. a. 6Whether the character of Confirmation presupposes of necessity, the baptismal character?
  7. a. 7Whether sanctifying grace is bestowed in this sacrament?
  8. a. 8Whether this sacrament should be given to all?
  9. a. 9Whether this sacrament should be given to man on the forehead?
  10. a. 10Whether he who is confirmed needs one to stand* for him? [*Literally, "to hold him"]
  11. a. 11Whether only a bishop can confer this sacrament?
  12. a. 12Whether the rite of this sacrament is appropriate?

Read on New AdventLatin text (Corpus Thomisticum)