Whether This Sacrament Should Be Given to All?
Objection 1: It seems that this sacrament should not be given to all.
For this sacrament is given in order to confer a certain excellence,
as stated above (A. 11, ad 2). But all are not suited for that which
belongs to excellence. Therefore this sacrament should not be given
to all.
Obj. 2: Further, by this sacrament man advances spiritually to
perfect age. But perfect age is inconsistent with childhood.
Therefore at least it should not be given to children.
Obj. 3: Further, as Pope Melchiades says (Ep. ad Episc. Hispan.)
"after Baptism we are strengthened for the combat." But women are
incompetent to combat, by reason of the frailty of their sex.
Therefore neither should women receive this sacrament.
Obj. 4: Further, Pope Melchiades says (Ep. ad Episc. Hispan.):
"Although the benefit of Regeneration suffices for those who are on
the point of death, yet the graces of Confirmation are necessary for
those who are to conquer. Confirmation arms and strengthens those to
whom the struggles and combats of this world are reserved. And he who
comes to die, having kept unsullied the innocence he acquired in
Baptism, is confirmed by death; for after death he can sin no more."
Therefore this sacrament should not be given to those who are on the
point of death: and so it should not be given to all.
_On the contrary,_ It is written (Acts 2:2) that the Holy Ghost in
coming, "filled the whole house," whereby the Church is signified;
and afterwards it is added that "they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost." But this sacrament is given that we may receive that fulness.
Therefore it should be given to all who belong to the Church.
_I answer that,_ As stated above (A. 1), man is spiritually advanced
by this sacrament to perfect age. Now the intention of nature is that
everyone born corporally, should come to perfect age: yet this is
sometimes hindered by reason of the corruptibility of the body, which
is forestalled by death. But much more is it God's intention to bring
all things to perfection, since nature shares in this intention
inasmuch as it reflects Him: hence it is written (Deut. 32:4): "The
works of God are perfect." Now the soul, to which spiritual birth and
perfect spiritual age belong, is immortal; and just as it can in old
age attain to spiritual birth, so can it attain to perfect
(spiritual) age in youth or childhood; because the various ages of
the body do not affect the soul. Therefore this sacrament should be
given to all.
Reply Obj. 1: This sacrament is given in order to confer a certain
excellence, not indeed, like the sacrament of order, of one man over
another, but of man in regard to himself: thus the same man, when
arrived at maturity, excels himself as he was when a boy.
Reply Obj. 2: As stated above, the age of the body does not affect
the soul. Consequently even in childhood man can attain to the
perfection of spiritual age, of which it is written (Wis. 4:8):
"Venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the
number of years." And hence it is that many children, by reason of
the strength of the Holy Ghost which they had received, fought
bravely for Christ even to the shedding of their blood.
Reply Obj. 3: As Chrysostom says (Hom. i De Machab.), "in earthly
contests fitness of age, physique and rank are required; and
consequently slaves, women, old men, and boys are debarred from
taking part therein. But in the heavenly combats, the Stadium is open
equally to all, to every age, and to either sex." Again, he says
(Hom. de Militia Spirit.): "In God's eyes even women fight, for many
a woman has waged the spiritual warfare with the courage of a man.
For some have rivaled men in the courage with which they have
suffered martyrdom; and some indeed have shown themselves stronger
than men." Therefore this sacrament should be given to women.
Reply Obj. 4: As we have already observed, the soul, to which
spiritual age belongs, is immortal. Wherefore this sacrament should
be given to those on the point of death, that they may be seen to be
perfect at the resurrection, according to Eph. 4:13: "Until we all
meet into the unity of faith . . . unto the measure of the age of the
fulness of Christ." And hence Hugh of St. Victor says (De Sacram.
ii), "It would be altogether hazardous, if anyone happened to go
forth from this life without being confirmed": not that such a one
would be lost, except perhaps through contempt; but that this would
be detrimental to his perfection. And therefore even children dying
after Confirmation obtain greater glory, just as here below they
receive more grace. The passage quoted is to be taken in the sense
that, with regard to the dangers of the present combat, those who are
on the point of death do not need this sacrament.
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