Blow to the Cheek at Confirmation
Date: June 2, 2023
Author: Fr. Edward McNamara, LC
Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology and director of the Sacerdos Institute at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University.
Question: When celebrating the sacrament of confirmation, is it right for the bishop or his delegate to slap the candidates on their right cheeks at the words, "Peace be with you"? Maybe as a sign that they are now soldiers for Christ in the world? Also, what is the reason that bishops may impart blessings with the Book of the Gospels? And why is only the Book of the Gospels carried in procession for the Mass but not the lectionary? -- S.T.M., Benue state, Nigeria
Answer: As for the first question: The slight blow to the cheek is no longer part of the confirmation rite and should be eliminated wherever it is still practiced.
As for the second question: Although a restored rite, there is a longstanding tradition that only the Book of the Gospels is carried in procession and not the lectionary precisely because the Gospel is seen as worthy of particular honor as a symbol of Christ.
The practice of the bishop imparting a blessing with the Book of the Gospels on certain solemn occasions is, however, a relative novelty in the liturgy and was introduced into the liturgy by Pope St. John Paul II.
Initially, it was considered a prerogative exclusive to the Holy Father, even though some bishops also began to impart this blessing, probably influenced by televised papal Masses.
Although the norm legitimizing the custom is not mentioned in the Ceremonial of Bishops, it has been incorporated into some recent publications, such as the introduction to the Book of the Gospels and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM).
The norm does not specify how this blessing is to be carried out. The general practice seems to be that after proclaiming the Gospel, the priest or deacon brings the open book to the bishop to be kissed. The priest or deacon then closes the Book of the Gospels and gives it to the bishop, who makes a simple sign of the cross with the volume in a manner like that of Benediction with the monstrance.
The rubric does not indicate on what solemn occasions this blessing is imparted and apparently leaves the decision to the bishop himself. However, The rubric indicates that only the bishop imparts this blessing. A priest never carries out this rite. The GIRM only mentions the bishop in No. 175:
“When the Deacon is assisting the Bishop, he carries the book to him to be kissed, or else kisses it himself, saying quietly the formula Per evangelica dicta(Through the words of the Gospel). In more solemn celebrations, if appropriate, the Bishop may impart a blessing to the people with the Book of the Gospels.”
However, things are not always so clear-cut. In some cases, where a priest is equivalent in law to a diocesan bishop (Canon 368 and 381,2), and as such, has full pastoral authority over a portion of the People of God, he may be accorded the liturgical aspects normally reserved to the bishop, except those, such as ordination to holy orders, for which the episcopate is essential.
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