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Pope Gregory the Great (604 A. D.) explained it by pointing out that such charismatic signs were “necessary in the first days of faith, but not in later years”(Homiliae in Evanfelia, Hom 29.4).
The Holy Spirit is poured out upon the recipient through the invocation of the Bishop. During the Easter Vigil the Priest is authorized to Confirm by proxy for the Bishop.
What a great blessing and honor it was to participate in this process while serving in Iraq.
In Iraq I was graced to be one of the leading Catechists is Baghdad as we Confirmed all of the Candidates and Catechumens.
The miracle is that all those receiving this great Sacrament receive the Holy Spirit with all the blessings, as those from the beginning.
Pope Pius states in his encyclical, Mediator Dei, 11/20/47, “…that we learn of confirmation through its liturgy is significant. This highlights the importance of liturgy as a means of knowing and transmitting religious teaching.” As water is used in baptism, olive oil, perfumed with balsam is used in Confirmation, the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit. It is Pentecost extended throughout the world, perpetuated and made ever present in the church. It is a call to spread the Kingdom of Christ, to spread the message of salvation.
