Onctions et don de l'esprit dans les traditions occidentales anciennes de la période patristique

Abstract

Since the Carolingian times, it has been taken for granted that non Roman Western baptismal liturgies were always following the same order: 1) Baptism. 2) Chrismation. 3) Laying of the hands. But is this structure as uniform as we commonly think? Furthermore, scholars have read into Pacian of Barcelona and Augustin proofs of a pneumatical chrismation. As matter of fact, sacramental ideologies, that came only in existence in the ninth century, have lead us to misinterpret various ancient authors, because Carolingian theologians were confusing the laying of the hands and the chrismation as signs of the gift of the Spirit. This theology and this liturgical practice was turning its back to what stood as a paleochristian tradition.