10/28/01

Celebrating confirmation: The joy and the challenge

by Bishop Jerome Listecki

I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I enjoy confirmations. Confirmations (which are celebrated mostly in the spring) are taxing and a large number of candidates always takes time. But it’s wonderful to experience young people of faith who have worked so hard to prepare for this sacrament.

There are a few “interesting” moments before and after the ceremony that I would like to share with you.

As most of us who have been involved with confirmation realize, there is a real tension before the ceremony begins. The candidates anticipate that the bishop will ask those dreaded “questions.” In many of these young minds he is the grand inquisitor who is waiting to trip them up and declare them unfit for the reception of the sacrament.

This tension is very common. I remember when I was a sponsor for confirmation, a rumor circulated thats the bishop was going to ask question not only of the candidates, but the sponsors as well.

Waiting in line with other sponsors, I could hear the adults reciting and trying to memorize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (understanding, wisdom, counsel, piety, knowledge, courage and fear of the Lord ). These gifts dispose us to obeying the will of God and support us in living the moral life.

Suddenly, one person yelled aloud: what if the bishop asks the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Another shouted: “What are they?” Sponsors started calling out. “I think it’s patience,” someone yelled. “Is trustworthy another one?” No, no,” said someone else, “that’s one of the Boy Scout commandments.”

Actually there are 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit (charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity). The fruits are the perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us. Through the fruits of the Holy Spirit we begin to share in the life God intended for us.

Waiting in line for the liturgy to begin prayers are whispered in earnest: “Please Lord don’t let him pick me.”

In a way, the tension achieves its purpose. Many never would think of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, much less the fruits until one is put to the test. We need to be tested. It forces us to take seriously this faith which we so often take for granted.

During the confirmation homily I can see the worry in the young candidates’ eyes: “Do I know enough about my faith that I can publicly respond to the bishop’s questions?” There is such a rich deposit of doctrinal and theological insight awaiting our study. Before the professions of faith I try and emphasize that the words of profession are not empty words spoken in a rote manner but the very foundation of our beliefs.

It is also good for adults to be reminded that the Creed recited on Sunday reflects the beliefs that martyrs died professing. We are the recipients of their witness. I ask the candidates if they are ready to die for the faith and even more, live the faith in this world.

Captured in this creedal profession is a language which expresses our vision. It challenges a secular world to look beyond the here and now. It forces us to realize that there is more than the visible. It declares that our God chose to become intimately involved with his creatures through his son. It states that he has invested this Church with the Holy Spirit to lead us to our salvation.

The eyes of the candidates often reflect the desire to embrace this faith.

Another important moment is the selection of a name. There seem to be multiple motivations for the selection of a name. My grandfather has this name. Or my aunt, who died, had this name. This was the name of my former parish. A priest whom I really like has this name. I read about this saint and I like her a lot.

As Catholics we have a storehouse full of friends waiting to share our journey and celebrate our significant moments. These spiritual friends are called saints. We possess a rich heritage in the men and women who demonstrated significant accomplishments in serving our Lord.

The candidates for confirmation choose a new name in which they are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. For many that will be the only time their confirmation name is used. I often will ask them if they know anything about the saint whose name they bear. The candidates sometimes surprise me with their research and insight.

I challenge them to make the saint their companion in their journey through life. A Michael immediately brings to mind the battle against Satan and the willingness to place all at the disposal of our God. One confirmation candidate told me, “Michael is no wimp!” I definitely agreed and asked him if he had the same courage and willingness to use his strength for the good of the Church.

Catherine of Siena was a woman arked with intelligence and insight declared by the Church to be a doctor influencing others with her spiritual writing. I inquire if the candidate is willing to put her intellectual gifts at the disposal of the Church, possibly to instruct others as a catechist.

In their service hours the candidates inform me of how they helped build the community in their charitable acts toward others. I encourage them to continue to serve as a normal course of their participation in faith. I challenge many to consider serving the Church as a priest or in religious life. The question is always received with thoughtful openness. I wonder if we as a community fail to ask the question enough of our young people, failing to realize just what they can accomplish for the Lord and for the good of his Church.

A great insight has been the effectiveness of the pastors of these various communities. How rich the Church is in the men who shepherd these local communities. They really know their people, their struggles, their celebrations. It is these fathers with their generous hearts that make the living Christian communities a reality. We need to do more to support them and demonstrate our appreciation.

Some may think that this column is merely the youthful exuberance of a new bishop and I pray that next year my enthusiasm will only increase. Let’s hope that it is not reflected in longer sermons but a willingness together to support and model our commitment to the Church for the lives of our young people.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Jerome Listecki

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