Which statement correctly identifies the essential matter, form, and ordinary minister of Confirmation?

Which statement correctly identifies the essential matter, form, and ordinary minister of Confirmation?

• A. Matter: Sacred chrism and laying on of hands; Form: the bishop’s (or authorised priest’s) prayer that the recipient 'Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.' Minister: ordinarily a bishop; in some circumstances, a priest with permission.
• B. Matter: Water; Form: the confirmation prayer; Minister: Deacon.
• C. Matter: Oil and chrism; Form: Blessing; Minister: Layperson.
• D. Matter: Sacred chrism and laying on of hands; Form: the bishop’s prayer that the recipient 'Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.' Minister: ordinarily a priest with permission.

Answer: (A)

The essential elements of Confirmation are matter, form, and the ordinary minister. For this sacrament, the matter is sacred chrism together with the laying on of hands, signifying the strengthening and sealing of the Holy Spirit. The form is the specific prayer, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,” spoken by the celebrant—ideally the bishop, though a priest with proper permission or faculties may use the same words. The ordinary minister is the bishop; in particular circumstances, a priest with permission from the bishop can confer the sacrament. This aligns with the best option because it accurately pairs the chrism and laying on of hands as the matter, the sealing prayer as the form, and the bishop as the usual minister (with limited exceptions). The other statements misstate either the matter (water is for Baptism), the form (it wouldn’t be just a generic blessing), or the minister (a layperson cannot ordinarily administer Confirmation, and the ordinary minister is not a priest with permission).

The essential elements of Confirmation are matter, form, and the ordinary minister. For this sacrament, the matter is sacred chrism together with the laying on of hands, signifying the strengthening and sealing of the Holy Spirit. The form is the specific prayer, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,” spoken by the celebrant—ideally the bishop, though a priest with proper permission or faculties may use the same words. The ordinary minister is the bishop; in particular circumstances, a priest with permission from the bishop can confer the sacrament.

This aligns with the best option because it accurately pairs the chrism and laying on of hands as the matter, the sealing prayer as the form, and the bishop as the usual minister (with limited exceptions). The other statements misstate either the matter (water is for Baptism), the form (it wouldn’t be just a generic blessing), or the minister (a layperson cannot ordinarily administer Confirmation, and the ordinary minister is not a priest with permission).