IV. Who can Receive This
Sacrament?
1306
Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of
Confirmation.121 Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a
unity, it follows that "the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament
at the appropriate time,"122 for without Confirmation and
Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation
remains incomplete.
1307
The
Latin tradition gives "the age of discretion" as the reference point
for receiving Confirmation. But in danger of death children should be confirmed
even if they have not yet attained the age of discretion.123
1308
Although Confirmation is sometimes called the "sacrament of Christian
maturity," we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural
growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited
election and does not need "ratification" to become effective. St.
Thomas reminds us of this:
Age of body does not determine
age of soul. Even in childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book
of Wisdom says: "For old age is not honored for length of time, or
measured by number of years. "Many children, through the strength of the
Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding
of their blood.124
1309
Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more
intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit -
his actions, his gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of
assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end
catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the
Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community.
the latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of
confirmands.125
1310
To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the
sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of
the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.126
1311
Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help
of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate
that this be one of the baptismal godparents.127
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