mentioned circumstance it arose, no doubt, that the Sacrament was distinguished by the name of confirmation. This its name is n t, as some with equal ignorance and impiety have imagined, derived from the supposed circumstance of baptized persons, when grown to maturity, formerly presenting themselves before the bishop to confirm their adherence to the faith of Christ, which they had embraced in baptism; an opinion, according to which, confirmation would not seem to differ from catechetical instruction. Of such a practice no proof can be adduced, no vestige traced; and this sacrament is called Confirmation, because by virtue of it, God confirms in us what was commenced in baptism, and conducts to the perfection of solid Christian virtue. [1]
Not only does this Sacrament confirm; it also increases divine grace in the soul: "The Holy Ghost," says Melchiades, " who descends with salutary influence on the waters of baptism, imparts the plenitude of grace to innocence: in confirmation, the same Holy Ghost gives an increase of divine grace, and not only an increase, but an increase after a wonderful manner. [2] This extraordinary efficacy of confirmation, the Scriptures beautifully express by a metaphor: " stay you in the city," says our Lord speaking of this Sacrament, " until you be indued with power from on high." [3]
To show the divine efficacy of this Sacrament, (and this, no doubt, will have great influence on the minds of the faithful) the pastor has only occasion to explain the effects which it produced on the Apostles themselves. Before, and even at the very time of the passion, so weak and listless were they, that no sooner was our Lord apprehended, than they all fled; [4] and Peter, who was destined to be the rock and foundation of the Church, and who had displayed an unshaken constancy, and an intrepid spirit to be dismayed by the appearance of no danger, [5] was so terrified at the voice of one weak woman, as to deny once, and again, and a third time, that he was a disciple of Jesus Christ. [6] Even after the resurrection they remained, through fear of the Jews, shut up in a house, the doors being closed. [7] But how extraordinary the revolution! On the day of Pentecost, filled with the grace of the Holy Ghost, they fearlessly, and in defiance of all danger, proclaim the Gospel, not only through Judea, but throughout the world; [8] they deem it the greatest happiness, to be thought worthy to suffer contumely, chains, tortures, and crucifixion itself, for the name of Christ. [9]
Confirmation has also the effect of impressing a character; and hence, as we said before, with regard to baptism, and as will be more fully explained in its proper place, with regard to
