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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Confirmation prefrences ben Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Question:

I am 20 and should have been confirmed years ago. I have just begun to take the Faith more seriously and am trying to get started in the path towards confirmation. I have been attending an Indult Mass and was wondering:
1) Prior to Vatican II, was the Sacrament administered in Latin?
2) If so, is there anyway to ask that the bishop confirm one in Latin (Vatican II rite) and not in the vernacular?
I assume that since Latin is still the official language of the Church that this may be possible...
Thank you for time.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Ben,

Honestly I don't know for sure if the sacrament was administered in Latin or not, I'm young enough that I wasn't there.  I really would guess that the ritual was in Latin, but if there was any dialogue between the people and the bishop then that would be in the vernacular.  My understanding is that the bishop would question the candidates on the faith.

If you'd like to ask, go ahead, but I'd be surprised if the bishop would agree.  Give him plenty of time in case he needs to study the rite.  I suppose it really depends on the diocese and bishop, some bishops would love to have it in Latin while others would refuse.  Ideally though all bishops and priests would be fluent in Latin.

I would ask my Pastor to speak to the bishop.  I hope all goes well with your confirmation,

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.