CONFIRMATION:
Scripture: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Catechism of the Catholic Church: “it must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” – CCC #1285
Brothers and sisters, our Confirmation Class of 2025 just participated in a 1-day Retreat, to learn and reiterate the blessings and the responsibilities that the sacrament brings, and how we are called to incorporate it into our daily lives.
Confirmation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist are held as the sacraments of Christian initiation. The gifts and charisms that we may receive after confirmation are meant to be used and shared throughout our entire lives. To be clear: CONFIRMATION IS NOT GRADUATION, whereby the newly confirmed no longer need to attend mass. As stated in an earlier bulletin article, attending mass is the first of five precepts of the Catholic Church: “You shall attend Mass on Sundays (or Sat.) and on holy days of obligation and rest from unnecessary labor.”
And, it is not just our youth or young adults who some times stay away from mass; all we have to do is look around at the number of empty spaces in the pews of our churches (Divine Mercy isn’t the only parish that suffers from this). I firmly believe if people really understood what exactly we miss out on when we don’t make the effort to receive the Lord in communion – by the power of the Holy Spirit, there would be ‘standing-room-only’ in every church around the world.
Brothers and sisters, when we are confirmed by the bishop, the cross he makes on our foreheads with the holy oil, reminds us to never be ashamed to profess ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ. And, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that we receive at confirmation that gives us the courage to do so. Confirmation is also a step we take in owning our own personal faith. When we own our faith, we are letting the world know Who exactly is first in our lives; acknowledging that without God’s presence in our lives, we are nothing.
Most of all, the power of the Holy Spirit strengthens us for the responsibility of being another Christ for those less fortunate than us; providing them the opportunity to own their own faith as well. As such, may we never be afraid or hindered to be honest, repentant, and vulnerable when praying to God for help, assistance, and His mercy.
May none of us forget the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, it is the Holy Spirit that turns the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Who, said in the Gospel of John: “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit is that Helper.
“Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear. Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you, Christ the Lord strengthened you,
And sent the Spirit into your hearts as the pledge of what is to come.”
-St. Ambrose