Valid Confirmation

[StephenJ]

This seems like an over-scrupulous question, but one never knows. I know the form of Confirmation involves “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” At my confirmation, our priest stated it as, “Be sealed the the gifts (plural) of the Holy Spirit.” I’m wondering if a small alteration like this could affect the validity of the sacrament, as it could be seen to alter the meaning slightly. I haven’t worried too much about it, but thought I’d throw it out there for discussion.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[FAB]

This seems like an over-scrupulous question, but one never knows. I know the form of Confirmation involves “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” At my confirmation, our priest stated it as, “Be sealed the the gifts (plural) of the Holy Spirit.” I’m wondering if a small alteration like this could affect the validity of the sacrament, as it could be seen to alter the meaning slightly. I haven’t worried too much about it, but thought I’d throw it out there for discussion.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Your right, your being over-scrupulous.

 

[06convert]

Interesting question…

Although in the CCC it’s written that you receive the 'gift" of the Holy Spirit the “gift” includes 7 things.

Wisdom
Judgement
Courage
Understanding
Piety
Awe and Wonder of the Lord or fear of the Lord

So making it plural isn’t a huge deal. You are good.

 

[StephenJ]

Thanks for the reply. I always thought along the same lines. What made me think about it again, believe it or not, was hearing that Obama jumbled the oath of office on Tuesday, and retook it later in the day just to make sure. That’s probably a sign that I need more productive things to do with my time.

Thanks again.

 

[FAB]

Thanks for the reply. I always thought along the same lines. What made me think about it again, believe it or not, was hearing that Obama jumbled the oath of office on Tuesday, and retook it later in the day just to make sure. That’s probably a sign that I need more productive things to do with my time.

Thanks again.

Don’t worry, theres not a hord of lawyers who are waiting to file a lawsuite against you. Besides, your confirmation is valid through the mystery of the Holy Spirt, not by man’s words.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This seems like an over-scrupulous question, but one never knows. I know the form of Confirmation involves “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” At my confirmation, our priest stated it as, “Be sealed the the gifts (plural) of the Holy Spirit.” I’m wondering if a small alteration like this could affect the validity of the sacrament, as it could be seen to alter the meaning slightly. I haven’t worried too much about it, but thought I’d throw it out there for discussion.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

It could have an impact, “The Gift of the Holy Spirit” is different from “The Gift’s (7) of the Holy Spirit”. I would ask the question of the Bishop to be sure? The Form needs to be precise for the Sacraments…

 

[Cluny]

There were ignorant priests in the middle ages who mispronounced the formula, and baptized people in the name of the Fatherland (Patria), Daughter (Filia), and Holy Spirit.

I believe the ruling was the intention was to do what the Church does and the mispronunciation was a simple error.

Seems to me the principle applies here, too.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

There were ignorant priests in the middle ages who mispronounced the formula, and baptized people in the name of the Fatherland (Patria), Daughter (Filia), and Holy Spirit.

I believe the ruling was the intention was to do what the Church does and the mispronunciation was a simple error.

Seems to me the principle applies here, too.

The Church is clear on the requirement for the specific wording (FORM) used in the Sacraments. I personally doubt that the Church ruled that the intention of the minister was enough to override an error in form.