Imposition of Hands in Confirmation: a medieval problem
H. M. J. Banting
In the library of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, there is a MS. fourteen leaves which formerly belonged to priory Durham. The eleventh century and contains some Pontifical offices, namely forms ordination minor major orders (with exception bishop) office Confirmation. Confirmation begins with an injunction that bishop shall lay his hand on head candidate. Primitus, impone manum super capud infantis et tangis eum vel eam . Then, after salutation, follows prayer for gift Holy Spirit, ‘Almighty everlasting God, who hast deigned regenerate thy servant by water Spirit given him remission all sins, send out upon from heaven sevenfold Paraclete, spirit wisdom understanding, counsel strength, knowledge godliness. Fill fear graciously sign holy cross unto life.’ Then bishop, having mentioned candidate's name, makes chrism forehead, saying ‘I confirm thee in name Father, Son, Spirit’.
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History