—who are the ministers necessary to its administration—who should be, as it were, the tutors, whose instructions should sustain the weakness of the person baptized—to whom baptism should be administered, and how they should be disposed—what are the virtue and efficacy of the Sacrament. Finally, we have developed, at sufficient length for our purpose, the rites and ceremonies that should accompany its administration. The pastor will recollect that all these instructions have principally for object, to induce the faithful to direct their constant attention and solicitude to the fulfilment of the sacred and inviolable engagements into which they entered at the baptismal font, and to lead lives not unworthy the sanctity of the name and profession of Christian.
ON THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION.
Urgent necessity of explaining the Sacrament of confirmation in these daysIf ever there was a time that demanded the assiduity of the pastor in explaining the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is doubtless the present, when there are found in the Church of God many by whom it is altogether omitted; whilst very few study to derive from it the fruit of divine grace, which its worthy reception imparts. That this divine blessing, therefore, may not these days seem through their fault, and to the serious injury of their immortal souls, to have been conferred in vain, the faithful are to be instructed, on Whitsunday, and on such other days as the pastor shall deem convenient, in the nature, efficacy, and dignity of this Sacrament; so as to make them sensible that not only is it not to be neglected, but that it is to be approached with the greatest reverence and devotion.
Why called confirmation.To begin therefore with its name, the pastor will inform the faithful that this Sacrament is called Confirmation, because, if no obstacle is opposed to its efficacy, the person who receives it, when anointed with the sacred chrism by the hand of the bishop, who accompanies the unction with these words: "I sign thee with the sign of the cross, and confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," is confirmed in strength by receiving new virtue, and becomes a perfect soldier of Christ.[1]
Confirmation a Sacrament.That confirmation has all the conditions of a true Sacrament has been at all times, the doctrine of the Catholic Church, as Pope Melchiades,[2] and many other very holy and ancient pontiffs expressly declare. The truth of this doctrine St. Clement could not have confirmed in stronger terms than when he says, "All should hasten, without delay to be born again to God, and then to be sealed by the bishop, that is, to receive the seven-fold
