Folia Theologica et Canonica 3. 25/17 (2014)
IUS CANONICUM - Michael Carragher, O.P., The sacrament of confirmation and personal development
174 MICHAEL CARRAGHER, O.P. hand in hand.4 5 At the opportune time the candidate receives spiritual help through some tangible sign. The symbolism of each sign must be respected as it corresponds precisely to a stage in the unfolding of the personality of the recipient. The child matures gradually on all levels simultaneously. Babies and young people need constant care regarding nutrition, hygiene, exercise, school. Physical well-being can be an index of mental growth and sanity. The reality and understanding of the resurrection of Our Lord leaves no other option but to concentrate on the integrity of the person as he or she is composed of body and soul. How does the Latin Code of Canon law fit into this scheme? By looking primarily at canon 879s one may venture an answer. The sacraments of baptism and confirmation are so interrelated that they answer to different needs of persons as they gradually grow and mature both physically, intellectually and spiritually. Baptism deals with regeneration while confirmation is directed to helping people to grow wisely and to interact with others in a community. Friendships (civic, business, play, sport, character instanced in marriage and consecrated life, and professional societies) are forged and benefits and services are exchanged with no personal compromises demanded. Rather ethical codes govern relationships both inside and outside the circle of membership. St. Thomas6 asks an interesting question, namely, whether the body of a human being was given an apt disposition regarding design, shape, and posture to fulfil the functions allotted to him by nature and which seem to be in conformity with reason? In other words, is the body properly proportioned and suitable for interaction with the world, people and God (if the person is a believer)? The sacraments fit into this answer. From a superficial observation one can see that what all animals share in common is sense and movement. All can experience injury and pain. That is why there are societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals. State law regulates torts, homicide, etc., among humans and even cruelty to animals. All animals try to flee danger for the instinct of self-preservation is equally felt by all concerned. Initially it must be admitted that human beings fall short in some respects as other animals have sharper senses regarding smell and sight and can run faster even fly. But the sense of touch is more sophisticated in people, and for this reason a human being must have the most equable (even- tempered, without wide variations or extremes, uniform, smooth) temperament of all ani4 St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, I-II, qq. 60-72. Walsh, L., Sacraments of Initiation A Theology of Life, Word, and Rite, Chicago 2011? 5 Codex Iuris Canonici (auctoritate Ioannis Pauli PP.l 1 Rome), Città del Vaticano 1989. Code of Canon Law (Latin-English Edition Prepared under the auspices of the Canon Law Society Of America) Washington, DC. 2004. 1999. 6 Summa Theologiae, I, q. 91 a. 3.
