Whether He Who Is Confirmed Needs One to Stand* for Him?
[*Literally, "to hold him"]
Objection 1: It seems that he who is confirmed needs no one to stand
for him. For this sacrament is given not only to children but also to
adults. But adults can stand for themselves. Therefore it is absurd
that someone else should stand for them.
Obj. 2: Further, he that belongs already to the Church, has free
access to the prince of the Church, i.e. the bishop. But this
sacrament, as stated above (A. 6), is given only to one that is
baptized, who is already a member of the Church. Therefore it seems
that he should not be brought by another to the bishop in order to
receive this sacrament.
Obj. 3: Further, this sacrament is given for spiritual strength,
which has more vigor in men than in women, according to Prov. 31:10:
"Who shall find a valiant woman?" Therefore at least a woman should
not stand for a man in confirmation.
_On the contrary,_ Are the following words of Pope Innocent, which
are to be found in the Decretals (XXX, Q. 4): "If anyone raise the
children of another's marriage from the sacred font, or stand for
them in Confirmation," etc. Therefore, just as someone is required as
sponsor of one who is baptized, so is someone required to stand for
him who is to be confirmed.
_I answer that,_ As stated above (AA. 1, 4, 9), this sacrament is
given to man for strength in the spiritual combat. Now, just as one
newly born requires someone to teach him things pertaining to
ordinary conduct, according to Heb. 12:9: "We have had fathers of our
flesh, for instructors, and we obeyed [Vulg.: 'reverenced']" them; so
they who are chosen for the fight need instructors by whom they are
informed of things concerning the conduct of the battle, and hence in
earthly wars, generals and captains are appointed to the command of
the others. For this reason he also who receives this sacrament, has
someone to stand for him, who, as it were, has to instruct him
concerning the fight.
Likewise, since this sacrament bestows on man the perfection of
spiritual age, as stated above (AA. 2, 5), therefore he who
approaches this sacrament is upheld by another, as being spiritually
a weakling and a child.
Reply Obj. 1: Although he who is confirmed, be adult in body,
nevertheless he is not yet spiritually adult.
Reply Obj. 2: Though he who is baptized is made a member of the
Church, nevertheless he is not yet enrolled as a Christian soldier.
And therefore he is brought to the bishop, as to the commander of the
army, by one who is already enrolled as a Christian soldier. For one
who is not yet confirmed should not stand for another in Confirmation.
Reply Obj. 3: According to Col. 3 *(Gal. 3:28), "in Christ Jesus
there is neither male nor female." Consequently it matters not
whether a man or a woman stand for one who is to be confirmed.
_______________________