CATHEDRAL CONFIRMATION
Cedric Leonilo Sy
“I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in the statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them” (EZ 36:27).
On the Solemnity of the Pentecost, the Sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at the Cathedral parish of the Nativity of Our Lady. The Chinese community celebrated it on Saturday May 18, 2024, at 3pm. On Sunday, the Portuguese community celebrated it during the 11 am mass and in the afternoon, the English community joyfully celebrated it during the 6pm mass.
Bishop Stephen Lee, the bishop of Macau celebrated all the liturgies for the three communities of the Cathedral. For the English community, he was assisted by Fr Raymund E. Gaspar, chaplain to the Filipino migrants in Macau, Fr Sheldon Eric D’Souza and Fr Leonard E Dollentas, chaplain to the English community of the Cathedral. The CFC Global Choir sang brilliantly during the confirmation mass and added to the spirit of the occasion.
For the children who were prepared for the sacrament, Confirmation is the third of three Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism and First Eucharist being the other two). Confirmation enriches us with the strength of the Holy Spirit to build up the Church and be witnesses of Christ to others.
Confirmation is associated with the Eucharist, where the People of God unite to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. When Confirmation preceded First Holy Communion, it was easily seen as a preparation to full celebration with the community. Then in 1910, when Pope Pius X made it possible for seven-year-old children to receive Communion, Confirmation became the last Sacrament of Initiation to be celebrated. Now Confirmation’s role of leading to the Eucharist must be emphasized in ways other than chronological. The church accomplishes this through catechesis, the words of the rite, and celebrating Confirmation within Mass.
Confirmation celebrates the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The Spirit of Jesus, the same Spirit that transformed the apostles, comes upon the members of the Church. According to the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, through Confirmation, Catholics are “more perfectly bound to the Church” and are “as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread the faith by word and deed.” Confirmation seals believers in the Spirit, anointing them and empowering them to carry on the mission of Christ.
Let us congratulate and pray for these children, and also take this opportunity to reflect on the Gifts that we have received from the Holy Spirit and how it has impacted our lives.
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