Canon 6: Confirmation
6.1 The
Sacrament of Confirmation impresses a character and by it the
baptized, continuing on the path of Christian initiation, are
enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit and bound more perfectly to
the Church; it strengthens them and obliges them more firmly to be
witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the
faith.
6.2 The
Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with
chrism on the forehead, which is done by the imposition of the hand,
and through the words prescribed in the approved liturgical books.
6.3 The
chrism to be used in the Sacrament of Confirmation must be
consecrated by a bishop, even if the sacrament is administered by a
presbyter.
6.4 It is
desirable that the Sacrament of Confirmation be celebrated in a
church and during Mass, but for a just and reasonable cause it may
be celebrated outside of the norm and in any worthy place.
6.5 The
ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a bishop or
someone delegated by the local ordinary.
6.6 All
baptized persons who have not been confirmed and only they are
capable of receiving confirmation.
6.7 Outside
the danger of death, to be licitly confirmed it is required, if the
person has the use of reason, that one be suitable instructed,
properly disposed and able to renew one's baptismal promise.
6.8 The
faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate
time, their parents/guardians and shepherds of souls, especially
pastors, are to see to it that the faithful are properly instructed
to receive it and approach the sacrament at the appropriate time.
6.9 The
Sacrament of Confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at
about the age of discretion or unless a grave cause urges otherwise.
6.10
Sponsors for the one to be confirmed should be present; it is for
the sponsor to see that the confirmed person acts as a true witness
to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with
this sacrament.
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