One baptism, five first Communions, and 13 confirmations marked the sacred rites that were celebrated on April 12 for the 13 St. John’s University students who had completed the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and were fully initiated into the Church.
Freshman Priscilla Ortiz found peace, purpose, and a renewed faith through St. John’s University’s OCIA program, receiving her Catholic sacraments while preparing to serve as a future Army intelligence officer.
The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2023, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms all declined, according to Vatican statistics.
Nearly 500 Catholics from 59 parishes across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston were confirmed in early January during four bilingual Masses, signaling the culmination of months of catechesis and effort.
Across the diocese this spring, youth have donned bright red robes or gleaming white dresses or suits to receive either Communion or Confirmation.
When schools went remote last spring, religious education programs also pivoted to continue teaching children about the Catholic faith and sacraments.
Abbey Forbes, the 18-year-old winner of the junior girls doubles championship at Wimbledon, has kept an inspirational book in her tennis bag at recent competitions and for all seven Wimbledon matches.
I was confirmed this year. It was an absolutely beautiful moment in my life and I’m so grateful that my journey brought me to this moment.
Auxiliary Bishop Neil Tiedemann, C.P., bestowed the sacrament of Confirmation on 56 young people from the faith formation program at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Astoria, this spring.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio baptized 10 people at St. Leo’s Church, Corona, during the Easter Vigil service. He also confirmed 55.
