Holy Confirmation
31 candidates from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary were confirmed on 14 October during the 8.30 am Eucharistic celebration presided by Rt. Rev. Sebastian Francis with Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Dominic Santhiyagu and Asst. Parish Priest Louis Loi. Rt. Rev. Sebastian announced that the celebration was a special one with the Universal church in Rome canonizing 7 new saints.
Homily
In his homily Rt. Rev Sebastian, explained that Pope Francis wanted to celebrate the climax of the Synod on Youth by canonising 7 saints. Among them was the youngest saint Nunzio Sulprizio, a 19 year old Italian who had a life of pain and suffering. He died in 1836. The other was Pope Paul the 6th who concluded the Vatican Council 2 was also canonized affirming that the teachings of Vatican 2 is the work of the Holy Spirit. Another was Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated because he worked for social justice and was the voice of the oppressed.
In explaining the 1st reading Wisdom 7: 7-11 , Rt. Rev. Sebastian asked the young confirmands, “Do you pray for wisdom?” In Asia he said, wisdom is the most important virtue, more important than “health or beauty”, people come to the East seeking for wisdom. If you do, you are a wise person, not running after things that are passing away. He said the word of God is active and alive ( Heb 4: 12-13). In the Gospel Mk 10: 17-30, the rich man could not let go of his riches. He asked the congregation, “when will you put Christ first in your life?.” He said, don’t wait till you are going to die to make changes and have a relationship with Christ.
He then gave a spiritual recipe:
Word + body + blood = spirit and life
He uttered John 10: 10 “ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” and emphasizing that Jesus is spirit and life. In addition to that he included the second recipe emphasing on Mk 3:35 that “Whoever does the will of my father is my brother, sister and mother.” ‘He or she aint heavy.’ Jesus wants you to be your brother, he told the confirmands.
Lord + friend + brother = Jesus Christ
Then he further explained what is pure and unspoilt religion projecting a picture of a young man (Rohingya Refugee) who was running away from Myanmar- who did not have the heart to leave his parents behind, carried his old and invalid parents along with him. He then related this point to what the Pope said was the greatest tragedy. Many say that the greatest tragedy is individualism, hedonism etc. However, the greatest tragedy today according to the Pope is that some of us don’t want to be saints. When you become a saint, you can face all these challenges. He left the congregation with following question: What is pure vs impure and spoilt vs unspoilt religion? Everyone has to ask this.
The Rite of confirmation
The rite of confirmation has four parts: introduction of candidates, renewal of baptismal promise. Praying for the outpouring and infilling of the spirit and anointing.
Appreciation
Cyril, one of the confirmands represented the candidates and thanked the parents, God parents and teachers for preparing them for the sacrament. No matter what the struggles, all things are possible through God.
The candidates also presented a thanksgiving hymn “Bless the Lord my oh my Soul”.
Presentation of Certificates
Group Photos
