by Bishop Raymond Chappetto
These days, we bishops (in Brooklyn) average 10-12 celebrations of confirmation in the spring season and 4-6 in the fall. For the past 12 years, since my ordination as a bishop in 2012, one of the most joyful experiences I have encountered is the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation.
I look forward to these liturgies because, as the ordinary minister of confirmation, I have the opportunity to teach and instruct candidates during the homily about the meaning and purpose of this sacrament.
During the Rite of Confirmation itself, I can ask God — the Holy Spirit — to touch the hearts of the young men and women about to receive his seven gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and wonder and awe. Seven awesome gifts to help those being confirmed stay on the right path in life.
If I speak on the gifts themselves, I emphasize wisdom and fortitude. I ask that they wisely seek God and God’s ways first and foremost and stay strong and courageous when tempted to seek alternative paths other than the way of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is God; the Holy Spirit is the third person (and sometimes the forgotten person) of the Blessed Trinity; the Holy Spirit is a powerful presence, so helpful in times of distress or decision-making.
I often wonder how ready the young people are to receive this message and how open they are to commit themselves to a Catholic way of life. So, automatically, those whom I have had the privilege to confirm are placed on my prayer list. I often ask the Lord to watch over them and help them, especially if they are experiencing any type of difficulty at this time.
In my earliest confirmations in 2012, the young candidates were 13 years old, meaning they are now 25. Although I will probably never see them again in this life, they are part of who I am, and I hope they are praying for me as I am for them.
Young people have so much potential to do good in the Church and to be a power for good in the world. Recently, at a spring confirmation, a young man in his 20s approached me and said I had confirmed him about 10 years ago. He was now the youth minister in the parish and was influencing the lives of so many of the young people in his care. Wow! That was a special moment of grace!
I often wonder where they are and what they are doing. God only knows.
One thing is for sure: Through my episcopal ministry and the grace of God, they carry within them the power of the Holy Spirit — the energy of God’s dynamic love — and the seven-fold gifts bestowed on them through the imposition of my hands and the holy anointing of sacred chrism.
Praised be the God — the Holy Spirit, now and forever!
Bishop Raymond Chappetto is an auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
