YOUCAT*: “Confirmation is the Sacrament that completes Baptism; in it the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us. Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with Chrism receives the strength to witness to God’s love and might in word and deed. He is now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church.”
It’s that time of year … Confirmation celebrations! The Pentecost story — Jesus breathed on them and sent them out. It’s this same Spirit who descends upon everyone who receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation is just the beginning, not the end. We are chosen to share our gifts with the church, our communities and our world.
Last year, my godson Tristan asked me to be his sponsor for Confirmation. This week he was confirmed. What a blessing it is to walk with a young person as they are reminded of God’s love for them and are challenged to live their Catholic faith.
For those of us confirmed many years ago, to experience a young person “being confirmed” is a reminder of our own “yes,” and how the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen us each day to be a witness to Jesus. Blessings to all those newly confirmed!
#YearofFaith challenge: How will you use the Spirit’s many gifts to serve the church, your community and our world?
*Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lisa Gomes is the director of the Office of Youth and Young adult Ministry