Did the +Bishop slap you at confirmation?

[gtsecc]

Mine did.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

How did that make you feel?

 

[gtsecc]

How did that make you feel?

I remember my confirmation, but I am not sure the slap part of confirmation was anything any different that the rest of the ceremony. I suppose it makes you breath in, and clense your heart with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

 

[HappyMomof4]

It was a long time ago, but I don't remember myself or anyone else getting slapped. That would be pretty memorable, I think!

 

[aReformedPatriot]

haha

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

How did that make you feel?

Something about that hit my funny bone, picking myself up off the floor now.

 

[Caedmon]

I won't be confirmed by a Bishop, so I really wouldn't be able to tell you. I don't think my priest would slap me.

 

[gtsecc]

Well, it is Tradition, but it must have fallen out of favore.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

Something about that hit my funny bone, picking myself up off the floor now.

I'm glad you picked up on that!!

 

[TexasCatholic]

Was confirmed today -- no slap. They did talk about that tradition in our pre-confirmation practice. They said they weren't sure if the Father was going to do it or not. He did not.

Apparently Confirmation can be done for RCIA Candidates by the Pastor (Priest) rather than the Bishop. I suppose it's a bit impractical in this situation, since our parish alone has 48 people entering this week and we have over a million Catholics in our Archdiocese. The Bishop could travel to several new parishes each week and in a year not get to them all.

-Michael

 

[Paul S]

Apparently Confirmation can be done for RCIA Candidates by the Pastor (Priest) rather than the Bishop. I suppose it's a bit impractical in this situation, since our parish alone has 48 people entering this week and we have over a million Catholics in our Archdiocese. The Bishop could travel to several new parishes each week and in a year not get to them all.

It can, since candidates are normally confirmed at the Easter Vigil, and the bishop can't be at all the parishes.

When children are confirmed, however, it's usually done by the bishop. And I don't remember being slapped, although it was 14 years ago.

 

[BAChristian]

I'd be more than happy to offer any slapping services that one might need.

Perhaps I need to post my Bible thumping pic again...

Oh, ok...I will.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

oh my goodness

thats awesome!

 

[krstlros]

I remember reading about being slapped on the forehead after a person is Confirmed. I believe it was to "strike" sin from a person and to ensure the devil would leave the person. Or, was it my Confirmation teacher that told us? Hmmmm......don't quite remember since I don't think I was slapped on the forehead at my Confirmation. That would have been memerable indeed.

Wouldn't it be rather ironic, and a tad funny, that after you were slapped on the forehead and then after you were picked up from off the floor, you were told "Peace be with you". And of course, you have to respond, "And also with you."

 

[AMDG]

I remember it--a mild, almost like "dubbing" on the cheek instead of the shoulder. I was told that it was supposed to symbolize that you were now "a soldier for Christ". Don't think my children received it at their Confirmations.

 

[churl]

Oh my - I never heard of that!!! It was many years ago, but I too feel that I would have remembered that one.

 

[churl]

I did find some information:

Slapping is not part of the rite of confirmation. Paul Turner, in his book Ages of Initiation, published by (Collegeville, MN) The Liturgical Press, 2000 gives the following information on this history of this:
​

William Durandus put the slap into the confirmation rite in his pontifical
(1292-95). He explains it in the Explanation of the Divine Offices, 6:84,1.6.8 Then the bishop strikes the one confirmed on the face. First,
so that he or she may more firmly keep the memory that this sacrament has been received. Second, because this sacrament is given to the baptized for the strengthening of faith; as has formerly been said, that if one is clearly so strong in the faith received in baptism, he or she will also
further not be embarrassed to confess the name of Christ before anyone. Third, this strike represents the imposition of hands, because the apostles used to confirm through the imposition of a hand. Fourth, it frightens the evil spirit that it may flee and not dare to return, as blessed Benedict did by means of a slap, freeing a monk who was troubled by an evil spirit, as is
read in the Dialogues of Gregory, book 2, heading 32.I'm convinced he got the idea from the Order of Becoming a Knight, which appears in the 13th c. Pontifical of the Roman Curia, appendix 4, 6f:
​

[After the prayer] the aforesaid lord archpresbyter or prior of the
canons gives a slap or a blow to the aforesaid candidate for knighthood.
When this has been done, he says a prayer over him.
God, who have always bestowed victory from heaven on your faithful, grant we ask to this man, N., your servant, and to all those waging your wars to overcome the evil of invisible armies by the strength of your power, and to trample the impudence of visible armies, that when the pride of both has fled away, your church may flourish with the joy of unity and peace. Through Christ our Lord.

​

 

[Kotton]

I remember it--a mild, almost like "dubbing" on the cheek instead of the shoulder. I was told that it was supposed to symbolize that you were now "a soldier for Christ". Don't think my children received it at their Confirmations.

It seems to have been dropped from practice, as only older people remember it. Also I have never seen it in the Confirmations by the Bishop at recent events. You are right, we were told that we were 'soldiers of Christ and to stand for our faith even when attacked'.

I remember my Confirmation and the 'slap'. This was about 65 years ago.

Kotton

 

[Paul S]

It seems to have been dropped from practice, as only older people remember it. Also I have never seen it in the Confirmations by the Bishop at recent events. You are right, we were told that we were 'soldiers of Christ and to stand for our faith even when attacked'.

It's in the 1962 edition of the Pontificale Romanum (which I just got in the mail today, so I simply must share ), the book which contains all the rites for bishops.

N. I sign thee with the sign of + the Cross.

which while he speaks, he makes with the thumb the sign of the cross on his forehead; then continues:

And I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation: In the name of + the Father, and of + the Son, and of the Holy + Ghost. R. Amen.

Then he lightly strikes him on the jaw, saying:

Peace be with thee.

 

[KC Catholic]

No, but I could have slapped myself for not coverting sooner!