What is this?


What exactly is the purpose of a confirmation stole? I have seen these more and more in liturgical supply catalogs. I never understood what the productive purpose of them were, but then I just assumed it was a Roman Catholic thing, because the catalogs I saw them in were predominantly Catholic oriented supplies like Autom.

I never really considered it in any detail because I had never encountered it at an Episcopal church confirmation service. I had also heard tell in seminary of bizarre customs like the priest at a Confirmation putting his stole on the confirmands for some liturgical symbolism that escapes me. But then, I am reviewing a new Confirmation curriculum that the Episcopal Church is putting out. I am fairly impressed so far with the quality and set-up of the curriculum for the most part, but one of the lesson plans actually suggests having the Confirmands make their own confirmation stole. 

From what I have read so far, unless I missed it, it does not explain the liturgical purpose of such a stole. I can make some educated guesses, but I don't like any of the reasons I can think up for such a liturgical device. I'm guessing it is trying to liturgically reinforce the very Protestant "priesthood of all believers" notion fueled by lay empowerment movements. I am all for the laity taking on their own ministries and having ownership in the local parish mission, but giving them stoles or clerical collars or whatever disturbs me. The concept of having a priest-like stole for confirmation is disturbing to me on a number of levels which I won't go into here. 

I would pose the question to anyone "in the know" as to what exactly the purpose for such a stole is? I do not like any of the answers I am coming up with in my head as to its purpose: liturgical, theological, or otherwise. Can anyone clue me in as to what this is about and why it is possibly appropriate? 

Comments

Rainy Rector said…
Ryan, In doing some research on stoles a few months ago, I came across the idea that the stole can represent the bonds that bound Christ as he is led to be tortured and killed. Priests wear a stole in recognition of being bound to God in their call and ordination. I suppose that those who confer confirmation stoles are thinking along those lines. That we are bound in baptism to Christ's death and resurrection, therefore, in confirmation we are binding ourselves through the promises made on our behalf at baptism, to God's service as Christians. But that is just a guess, I have no idea really! Court.
5/28/2010 4:53 PM
Laura Toepfer said…
Hello!

I'm the managing director for Confirm not Conform and hope I can answer your question.

First of all, the confirmands don't make their stoles; they are made by a member of the congregation (usually) and then signed by all the members of the congregation (often).

The stoles are presented within the context of a service--not confirmation itself. All the participants in the program, whether they choose to be confirmed or not, take part in the service that recognizes their work in exploring their faith.

Each participant has chosen a passage of scripture which they memorize, recite for the congregation, and then teach on--explaining why they chose it, what it means to them, and what they learned from it. It is after this that they receive the stole. It's partly a sign of their authority to teach, and partly (as it says in the service) a sign asking "May God's blessing and the love of God's people always embrace you."

Like all signs, it's going to carry a lot of different meanings, but I can assure you it's not meant to be a sign of cheap grace!

I hope that helps. Thanks for exploring the website, and let me know if there are any other questions I can answer for you.

Laura (at) confirmnotconform (dot) com.
6/17/2010 6:34 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi....I am a Roman Catholic, and love your blog....we are encountering this very issue right now. From what I can tell, beyond all the very nice "reasons" for the Confirmation stole is really a modern attempt to clericalize the laity. It would be far more fitting, and less confusing in terms of a priest's stole, to go back to the red arm band or the red satin sash that goes from shoulder to hip across the body--more in a witness/soldier mode. My instincts are with yours I suspect.
1/31/2011 10:20 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts on the 'Connecticut 6'

For some weeks, I have had several friends (mostly non-Episcopalians surprisingly) wanting me to voice an opinion on this Connecticut 6 (sounds like a fleabag motel) business. If you are unfamiliar with this fiasco, for lack of a better term, let me describe it as best as I understand it. There is so much spin going on (from both sides I might add) that I have been having trouble discerning fact from fiction. As I understand the situation, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith is the Bishop of Connecticut. Well, at least he has a pointy hat, I do not think he is particularly acting like one. Likewise, as I understand, there are Six rectors of churches (at least they have collars, but likewise are not acting like it) that have applied for DEPO oversight (i.e. another Bishop to oversee them.) The best way I know how to describe the hoohah is as follows: The Feloniously Rev. Smith is trying to defrock the Superciliously Reverend Rectors. Darth Smith claims they have abandoned communion and has shadil
Read more

The History of the Football helmet

Image
NCAA.com put out an interesting editorial about the evolution of the football helmet that can be found here . This is in part due in my estimation to the current buzz (one might go so far as to describe it as hysteria) about concussions in contact sports, particularly football. I have always found this an interesting evolution. Long gone are the days of strapping on your leather helmet: In the 50's and 60's, the helmet evolved into, basically becoming a metal then hard plastic version of the leather helmet with the addition of a rudimentary face mask (which was really just a bar at first): Gradually, the helmet's face mask itself began to evolve: Combines with new space age style lightweight plastics and foams, the helmet mask ultimately became a type of full, goalie style face mask (This little number costs just under $1000 to purchase new): Ironically, being a military history major, the football helmet evolution followed the pattern of design that helmets worn
Read more

Homily Notes for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

                Many churches often have Stewardship Renewal drives around this time of year, with St. Michael’s beginning its drive in mid-October. Talks or homilies on stewardship during this time of year often utilize the imagery of the fall harvest season because stewardship is often a time to take stock of God’s bounty-both spiritually and materially-and plan accordingly as to how much a family or individual is willing to commit to giving to the parish in the coming year of their time, talent, and treasure. The Mass readings today are picked in part to reinforce that theme of the importance of giving to God’s work through the church out of the bounty God has given to us. The question in the back of some people’s minds as they listen to stewardship appeals often is not touched upon in depth by the preacher or speaker discussing the importance of stewardship, however. That question is best summed up as, “If God is all powerful, why does He need my money?” The readings today beaut
Read more