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Objection 1: It seems that the sacrament of Confirmation does not
imprint a character. For a character means a distinctive sign. But a
man is not distinguished from unbelievers by the sacrament of
Confirmation, for this is the effect of Baptism; nor from the rest
of the faithful, because this sacrament is ordained to the spiritual
combat, which is enjoined to all the faithful. Therefore a character
is not imprinted in this sacrament.
Objection 2: Further, it was stated above (Question 63,
Article 2) that a character is a spiritual power. Now a power must
be either active or passive. But the active power in the sacraments is
conferred by the sacrament of order: while the passive or receptive
power is conferred by the sacrament of Baptism. Therefore no
character is imprinted by the sacrament of Confirmation.
Objection 3: Further, in circumcision, which is a character of the
body, no spiritual character is imprinted. But in this sacrament a
character is imprinted on the body, when the sign of the cross is
signed with chrism on man's brow. Therefore a spiritual character is
not imprinted by this sacrament.
On the contrary, A character is imprinted in every sacrament that is
not repeated. But this sacrament is not repeated: for Gregory II
says (Ep. iv ad Bonifac.): "As to the man who was confirmed a
second time by a bishop, such a repetition must be forbidden."
Therefore a character is imprinted in Confirmation.
I answer that, As stated above (Question 63, Article 2), a
character is a spiritual power ordained to certain sacred actions. Now
it has been said above (Article 1; Question 65, Article 1)
that, just as Baptism is a spiritual regeneration unto Christian
life, so also is Confirmation a certain spiritual growth bringing man
to perfect spiritual age. But it is evident, from a comparison with
the life of the body, that the action which is proper to man
immediately after birth, is different from the action which is proper
to him when he has come to perfect age. And therefore by the sacrament
of Confirmation man is given a spiritual power in respect of sacred
actions other than those in respect of which he receives power in
Baptism. For in Baptism he receives power to do those things which
pertain to his own salvation, forasmuch as he lives to himself:
whereas in Confirmation he receives power to do those things which
pertain to the spiritual combat with the enemies of the Faith. This
is evident from the example of the apostles, who, before they received
the fulness of the Holy Ghost, were in the "upper room . . .
persevering . . . in prayer" (Acts 1:13,14); whereas
afterwards they went out and feared not to confess their faith in
public, even in the face of the enemies of the Christian Faith. And
therefore it is evident that a character is imprinted in the sacrament
of Confirmation.
Reply to Objection 1: All have to wage the spiritual combat with
our invisible enemies. But to fight against visible foes, viz.
against the persecutors of the Faith, by confessing Christ's name,
belongs to the confirmed, who have already come spiritually to the age
of virility, according to 1 Jn. 2:14: "I write unto you,
young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in
you, and you have overcome the wicked one." And therefore the
character of Confirmation is a distinctive sign, not between
unbelievers and believers, but between those who are grown up
spiritually and those of whom it is written: "As new-born babes"
(1 Pt. 2:2).
Reply to Objection 2: All the sacraments are protestations of
faith. Therefore just as he who is baptized receives the power of
testifying to his faith by receiving the other sacraments; so he who is
confirmed receives the power of publicly confessing his faith by words,
as it were "ex officio."
Reply to Objection 3: The sacraments of the Old Law are called
"justice of the flesh" (Heb. 9:10) because, to wit, they
wrought nothing inwardly. Consequently in circumcision a character was
imprinted in the body only, but not in the soul. But in
Confirmation, since it is a sacrament of the New Law, a spiritual
character is imprinted at the same time, together with the bodily
character.
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