Charismatic Confirmation

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My daughter-in-law accompanied her mother to the front of the church when she was received into a somewhat charismatic Catholic Church
After her mother was annointed many fellow parishiners came foward and touch them both.
She asked me if this is normal. As she was very uncomfortable I have been at many confirmations and never saw this.
Is this acceptable?
 
OK, are you sure this was the Sacrament of Confirmation, and not just the “laying on of hands” that charistmatics practice- a pious practice, but NOT Confirmation? There two are separate things.
 
There’s nothing wrong with people putting hands on other people and praying, including for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What would be wrong would be implying that all those parishioners were somehow co-officiating and co-ministering the sacrament (attempting to, that is). Ordinary lay people cannot confer Confirmation and the distinction should not be blurred. It’s the bishop or, extraordinarily, the priest, who confers that sacrament.
 
It is not part of the confirmation rite, and I have never seen it even in a charismatic parish, except in the context of a praise and worship or healing service where someone has specifically requested prayer, when it is customary to lightly touch the person.
 
gus said:
My daughter-in-law accompanied her mother to the front of the church when she was received into a somewhat charismatic Catholic Church
After her mother was annointed many fellow parishiners came foward and touch them both.
She asked me if this is normal. As she was very uncomfortable I have been at many confirmations and never saw this.
Is this acceptable?
Click to expand...
Was the bishop there? Would he really have allowed this to happen at a confirmation?
 
gus said:
My daughter-in-law accompanied her mother to the front of the church when she was received into a somewhat charismatic Catholic Church
After her mother was annointed many fellow parishiners came foward and touch them both.
She asked me if this is normal. As she was very uncomfortable I have been at many confirmations and never saw this.
Is this acceptable?
Click to expand...
No, it is not following the liturgical book. The Rite of Confirmation has these instructions:
“THE ANOINTING WITH CHRISM
26. The deacon brings the chrism to the bishop. Each candidate goes to the bishop, or the bishop may go to the individual candidates. The one who presented the candidate places his right hand on the latter’s shoulder and gives the candidate’s name to the bishop; of the candidate may give his own name.
27. The bishop dips his right thumb in the chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, as he says:
**N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. **
The newly confirmed responds: Amen.
The bishop says:
**Peace be with you. **
The newly confirmed responds: And also with you.
28. If priests assist the bishop in conferring the sacrament, all the vessels of chrism are brought to the bishop by the deacon or by other ministers. Each of the priests comes to the bishop, who gives him a vessel of chrism.
The candidates go to the bishop or to the priests, or the bishop and priests may go to the candidates. The anointing is done as described above (no. 27).
29. During the anointing a suitable song may be sund. After the anointing the bishop and the priests wash their hands.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS …”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, pages 490-491).

The ones touching the person being confirmed are the person presenting them and the bishop or priest. Their role tends to be undervalued if there are others touching them as part of the ceremony.
 
John_Lilburne said:
No, it is not following the liturgical book. The Rite of Confirmation has these instructions:
“THE ANOINTING WITH CHRISM
26. The deacon brings the chrism to the bishop. Each candidate goes to the bishop, or the bishop may go to the individual candidates. The one who presented the candidate places his right hand on the latter’s shoulder and gives the candidate’s name to the bishop; of the candidate may give his own name.
27. The bishop dips his right thumb in the chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, as he says:
**N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. **
The newly confirmed responds: Amen.
The bishop says:
**Peace be with you. **
The newly confirmed responds: And also with you.
28. If priests assist the bishop in conferring the sacrament, all the vessels of chrism are brought to the bishop by the deacon or by other ministers. Each of the priests comes to the bishop, who gives him a vessel of chrism.
The candidates go to the bishop or to the priests, or the bishop and priests may go to the candidates. The anointing is done as described above (no. 27).
29. During the anointing a suitable song may be sund. After the anointing the bishop and the priests wash their hands.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS …”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, pages 490-491).

The ones touching the person being confirmed are the person presenting them and the bishop or priest. Their role tends to be undervalued if there are others touching them as part of the ceremony.
Click to expand...
 
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