‘Confirmation strengthens us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’

Nick Cardenas, a parishioner at Our Lady of Victory in Beeville, speaks to candidates for confirmation and their sponsors on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

The sacrament of confirmation is a path of Christian initiation for the baptized. Through the sacrament of confirmation the baptized receive the Holy Spirit who was sent upon the Apostles by the Lord on the day of Pentecost.

“Confirmation reveals to us the important role the Holy Spirit has in our lives. Many of us live in a, ‘I can do it myself’ culture often referred to as individualism. This kind of mentality can easily deafen our hearts to listening to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Michael Mulvey said. “Confirmation strengthens us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s plan in our personal lives and our call to be missionary disciples.”

Bishop Mulvey said it is important that family, parishes and pastoral workers assist young people to learn how to “both pray and listen through silence to the voice of the Holy Spirit in their lives.”

Any baptized Catholic has the right and the obligation to receive the sacrament of confirmation, but the candidate has the responsibility to personally choose to complete initiation into the faith life of the Church. The candidate may request the sacrament if he or she: is baptized and able to renew baptismal promises, unless a grave reason suggests otherwise; exhibits an active faith life and knowledge of the Church; participates in the sacramental life of the Church, especially Eucharistic liturgies; is willing to commit to active involvement in the parish confirmation catechesis; is willing to respond to the call to active ministry; and is willing to continue to learn and grow in faith following confirmation and throughout his or her lifetime.

In the Diocese of Corpus Christi preparation for the sacrament of confirmation begins when a child is in the ninth grade and lasts for two years. Typically, this preparation is done at the child’s resident parish through the religious education program. In smaller parishes the diocese provides assistance with the required catechesis in the form of a confirmation retreat.

Jaime Reyna, Director of Office of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, led confirmation retreat at Our Lady of Victory. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

Thirteen parishes, from St. Peter Mission in Ben Bolt to St. James is Refugio, came together on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Our Lady of Victory Parish Hall in Beeville to participate in a confirmation retreat conducted by the diocese Office of Youth Ministry. More than 75 confirmation candidates and their sponsors participated in the daylong retreat.

Students receiving confirmation do so by their sophomore year. The preparation covers two years with extensive catechesis, distinct from their regular religious education instruction. The freshman year covers more general catechesis, but the sophomore year is more specific to the sacrament of confirmation. The Beeville retreat was for students in their second and final year of preparation.

Staff from the Youth Ministry office, with the help of volunteers from Our Lady of Victory, led students and sponsors through a series of activities—including “ice breakers,” praise and worship, music, and group discussions—to help them learn the meaning and requirements of the sacrament of confirmation including the responsibilities of sponsors. The diocese requires that opportunities for catechesis be offered to the sponsors to assist them in fully understanding their role in the ongoing formation of the candidates.

Sponsors represent, in a personal way, the witness and support of the parish community. They should participate with the candidates in their preparation, as well as the celebration. It is preferable that the sponsor from baptism be the same for confirmation. To perform the role of sponsor a person takes the place of the parents in their absence. The sponsor must be at least 16 years old unless the bishop has set a different age or if it appears to the pastor that an exception should to be made for a just cause.

Sponsors must be Catholics who have been confirmed and have already received the sacrament of the Eucharist and lead a life in harmony with faith and the role they are assuming. An example of not living the life of faith includes an invalid marriage. Sponsors cannot be bound by any canonical penalty. Parents of the one to be confirmed cannot serve as sponsors.

Retreat particpants participate in discussion at confirmation retreat at Our Lady of Victory in Beeville. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

One of the activities at the Beeville retreat was picking a confirmation name. Candidates may choose a confirmation name if they so desire, especially if their baptism name is not a saint’s name. Deacon Rogelio Rosenbaum made a presentation on the importance of a name. At table discussions the name of St. Juan Diego, used by the Blessed Mother to introduce her son to the masses of indigenous people in the Americas, was being considered for a confirmation name by one of the candidates. Another was St. Dismus, the “good” thief that was crucified with Jesus and is considered the patron saint of prisoners.

Nick Cardenas, spoke to the candidates and sponsors on the gifts of the Hoy Spirit, enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. They are present in their fullness in Jesus Christ and are found in all Christians who are in a state of grace. The seven gifts include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

Confirmation is one of three sacraments of initiation to the Catholic Church—the others being baptism and Eucharist. A parish must provide the opportunity for their candidates as well as the encouragement to receive the sacrament of penance before the reception of confirmation.

The Office of Youth Ministry is conducting a second retreat on March 1 at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles and will hold a third on March 15 at Ss. Cyril & Methodius.