The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 323eaine down on believers, and they spoke in tongueswhich they had not learned These weremiracles suited to the times Is it now expected that they upon whom hands are laid, shouldspeak with tongues ? Or, when we imposed handson these children, did each of you wait to see whetherthey would speak with tongues ? .... If, then, therebe not now a testimony to the presence of the HolySpirit by means of these miracles, whence is itprovedthat he has received the Holy Spirit? Let him askhis own heart ;if he loves his brother, the Spirit ofGod abides in him." lFollowing in the footsteps of the Apostles, we findthe Fathers of the Church, from the earliest age,recognizing Confirmation as a divine and sacramental institution, and proclaimingits salutaryeffects.The flesh," says Tertullian,"is anointed, thatthe soul may be consecrated ;the flesh is marked,that the soul may be fortified ;the flesh is overshadowed by the imposition of hands, that the soulmay be enlightened with the 2Spirit."St. Cyprian, speaking of the Christians baptized"in Samaria, says Because : they had received thelegitimate baptism, . . . what was wanting, thatwas done by Peter and John, that prayer beingmade for them, and hands imposed, the Holy Ghostshould be invoked and poured forth upon them.Which now also is done amongst us, so that they who1Tract VI in Ep. Joan. JDe Eesun car.