5.16. Isn’t Confirmation still valid in the Novus Ordo since it uses chrism and mentions the Holy Spirit?
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ and is essential for completing baptismal grace, strengthening the soul, and sealing the Christian with the gift of the Holy Ghost as a soldier of Christ. For Confirmation to be valid, it must have the correct form (words), matter (sacred chrism), and intention, and it must be administered by a validly consecrated bishop (except in certain emergency faculties).
In the Novus Ordo, the rite of Confirmation was changed in 1971, removing the traditional form and replacing it with ambiguous language. Worse still, the “bishops” administering it are often invalidly consecrated under the 1968 rite of episcopal ordination. As a result, most post-Vatican II confirmations are doubtful or invalid. Additionally, the substance of the sacred chrism is frequently tampered with, and the theology surrounding Confirmation has been corrupted by modernist errors that emphasize community membership rather than spiritual combat. Below is a side-by-side comparison showing why faithful Catholics must reject Novus Ordo Confirmation and seek it conditionally from a validly consecrated bishop using the traditional rite.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Confirmation | Novus Ordo "Confirmation" | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form (Words) | “I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” | “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” | The new form omits explicit reference to “confirming” the soul. It is a deviation from the essential sacramental formula used for centuries. |
| Matter | Sacred chrism (olive oil & balsam) blessed by a valid bishop on Holy Thursday | Often synthetic oil, not blessed validly or at all; form of oil may vary | Invalid or improperly blessed chrism can invalidate the sacrament. True matter must be olive oil with balsam, consecrated by a valid bishop. |
| Minister | Validly consecrated Catholic bishop (or priest with special faculties) | “Bishops” consecrated in 1968 rite; often priests delegated in parishes | If the minister is invalidly consecrated or lacks valid faculties, the sacrament is invalid. The 1968 rite of episcopal consecration is doubtful or invalid. |
| Intention | To strengthen the soul with the Holy Ghost, completing baptismal grace | Often reduced to “joining the Church” or “celebrating maturity” | Modern understanding denies or obscures the sacramental effect. Defective intention can invalidate the sacrament. |
| Ritual Gesture | Sign of the cross traced on the forehead with chrism and light slap on the cheek | Cross traced, but slap omitted and gestures relaxed | Omission of symbolic slap removes traditional symbolism of spiritual warfare; contributes to loss of intention and doctrinal clarity. |
| Ritual Context | Solemn, individual rite with godparents and traditional prayers | Group “celebration” with general prayers and often lay involvement | Trivializes the rite and undermines the personal nature of sacramental grace. |
| Theology | Emphasizes strengthening against spiritual enemies and grace to profess the Faith | Focuses on community involvement and symbolic belonging | Reduces the sacrament to a psychological or social milestone; strips away supernatural purpose. |
| Fruits | Spiritual maturity, defense of the Faith, courage, and reverence | Lack of knowledge, reverence, or perseverance in the Faith | Most Novus Ordo confirmands lapse into disbelief or irreligion shortly after, indicating a lack of sacramental grace. |
| Validity | Certain when performed by a valid bishop with correct form and matter | Doubtful or invalid in most post-1971 cases | Due to defective form, matter, and minister, most Novus Ordo confirmations must be presumed invalid and conditionally repeated. |
Summary:
Confirmation in the Novus Ordo, introduced in 1971, is afflicted by grave defects in form, matter, minister, and intention. The words used are ambiguous and not theologically precise. The chrism is often invalidly composed or blessed. Most of the ministers are invalidly consecrated “bishops” or delegated Novus Ordo priests. Combined with the modernist theology that now surrounds the rite, this renders the sacrament doubtful or null in most cases.
Therefore, Catholics who were “confirmed” in the Novus Ordo must be conditionally confirmed by a valid bishop using the traditional Roman rite to ensure they receive the indelible sacramental character and grace instituted by Christ and safeguarded by the true Catholic Church.