Q: A quick question. A bishop sent his advance directives for confirmation next weekend. It says he prefers to be seated when he anoints the confirmandi and that they should be kneeling on a kneeler in front of him. I don’t see that in the ritual at all as an option.
It might just be an accommodation if he tires easily? Or are there deeper roots to this option?
Thanks for everything.
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A: OConf 23 says that those to be confirmed are standing. OConf 24 says that the bishop stands for the laying on of hands, and no change of posture is indicated when he administers chrism. In fact, one option is for him to go to the candidates, which he could not easily do while seated, unless he uses a wheelchair.
The 1962 Pontifical had the bishop sit to wash his hands in preparation, then stand to face the candidates, who were to kneel (1). He said various prayers (2–5). Then he sat on the faldstool, or stood if a great number of candidates were arranged on the sanctuary steps. The candidates remained kneeling, or they stood and came to him one by one, knelt to be confirmed, and stood to withdraw (6).
All these postures have been removed from the revised ritual now in force, which I understand to mean that they are not to be continued.
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