WELCOMING OUR YOUNG ‘SOLDIERS IN CHRIST’S ARMY’

Forty Confirmands were joined by families and friends at Confirmation Mass on Saturday Sunset Mass at St Joseph Church Sentul. First, they gathered at the St Joseph’s Shrine for photo session with Archbishop Julian Leow. The archbishop gave them a briefing and recited a prayer to St Joseph before they began the procession into the Church.

During the sacrament of Confirmation these young adults promised to reject all the works of Satan and his empty promises. They took their full commitments to believe in God. During their Baptism their parents and godparents make promises to renounce Satan and believe in God and the Church on their behalf. At the Sacrament of Confirmation, they themselves renewed those same promises and this time they spoke for themselves. The faith that was given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong during the sacrament of Confirmation.

The Holy Spirit guides the Church and helps us to grow in Christ. During Confirmation, the focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith. We, Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms us during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude or courage, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, (Is. 11:2‐3).

These seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are already received during the Sacrament of Baptism. These same gifts are strengthen in the Sacrament of Confirmation where “complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them” (CCC 1831). That is why the Catholic Church teaches and views that through the Sacrament of Confirmation as the completion of Baptism.  

 

Here is brief explanation about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:

1. Wisdom: Wisdom allows a person to recognize truth. The gift of knowing the right choices to make to live a holy life.

2. Understanding: The Gift of Understanding allows a person to comprehend the Catholic Faith or the ability to grasp the meaning of the teachings of the Church.

3. Counsel: The gift of counsel or right judgment helps a person to discern between good and evil or right and wrong.

4. Fortitude or courage: Through this Gift a person is no longer afraid to stand up for God and His truths. It helps a person to overcome any obstacles and to help strengthen one’s will. A person who has the gift of Fortitude will stand up for good against evil and is convicted to take a stand when the occasion arises.

5. Knowledge: The gift of knowing and enlightenment which enables a person to choose the right path that will lead one’s to God. It allows a person to understand the meaning and purpose God has for him or her and to live up to this meaning.

6. Piety: The gift of confidence in God. Is a desire to serve and worship God out of love, not just duty. A person with the Gift of Piety has a true love and a real relationship with God.

7. Fear of the Lord: The gift of wonder and respect that encourages you to be in awe of God. A person with this gift understands the greatness and awesomeness of the Lord. This is the beginning of Wisdom. Once a person understands who God is and desires to please Him, he or she can begin to understand things from God’s point of view or have Wisdom.