Impositio Manuum in the Liturgy of the Sacrament of Confirmation: Historical-Liturgical Outline Cover Image

Impositio manuum w liturgii sakramentu bierzmowania. Zarys historycznoliturgiczny
Impositio Manuum in the Liturgy of the Sacrament of Confirmation: Historical-Liturgical Outline

Author(s): Andrzej Megger
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Pastoral Theology
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: liturgy; Confirmation; imposition (laying on) of hands (impositio manuum)

Summary/Abstract: Already from the Apostolic times, the important postbaptismal rituals include, above all, the imposition of hands (impositio manuum). This is confirmed by the liturgical testimonies of the first centuries, combining this gesture with the tradition of the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the early Middle Ages, when Confirmation became a rite independent of baptism, the impositio manuum was less and less important, and oil anointing, which was accompanied by the appropriate formula, took over its important role. After the Council of Trent, Apostolic practice in this regard is recalled and restored to some extent, but the actual gesture itself is still anticipated by anointing with formula. The renewal of the Confirmation liturgy after Vatican II revaluated the laying on of hands (in the sense of extensio manuum), which is associated with prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • Issue Year: 66/2019
  • Issue No: 8
  • Page Range: 65-77
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Polish