My students were confirmed the day before Pentecost. I found it powerful that they could celebrate the completion of their baptism—birth in Christ—one day, followed by readings, a sequence, and hymns to celebrate the birth of the Church, the next.
I am blessed with a unique opportunity to not only catechize young people and their families on the road to Confirmation, but to regularly and deliberately renew my own life in the Spirit as well. As I discuss each gift with my students, I, too, enjoy pondering the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel (right judgment), fortitude (courage), knowledge, piety (reverence), and fear of the Lord (wonder and awe).
This year, with Scripture (Lectio Divina) and imagery, I encouraged the children to write seven personal prayers, asking the Spirit for strength in each gift. They created special envelopes to store their prayers, written on cardstock, and I suggested that they store these envelopes in their Bibles or in a book they may receive for Confirmation. I hope that they will turn to their prayers, and the Spirit, to guide them in different situations throughout their lives.
As the children embark on their own journeys of faith, I take time to reflect on my own spiritual path. Even when I was immature in my understanding of what Confirmation truly means, I had respect for the sacrament and took the words of the Bishop seriously.
When I was in university and involved in an ecumenical Bible study group, I found myself shameful at the fact that I did not know Scripture the way other group members did. I was very impressed by the fact these fellow Christians could engage in spontaneous prayer in ways that no one but the priest in my Catholic circle seemed to be able to do. Although I never stopped going to Sunday Mass, I did occasionally supplement my Sabbath worship by attending Protestant services with friends.
I was most affected by the fact that one of my friends went to her church service each Sunday morning, spent the day in family time, and then returned to church for an evening service. This family also dressed casually throughout the week, but wore very formal clothing on Sundays. Sundays were clearly days of worship, worthy of all their time, effort, and respect. They did their utmost to “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” Somehow, in the face of what I witnessed, I felt that all of my efforts at attending Mass, following rules, and saying my prayers were missing something.
As I said, I never stopped going to Mass. Even as I entertained the thought of joining my friend’s church community, the pull of my Confirmation always drew me back. I knew that I had made a promise to be Catholic. I couldn’t imagine telling my parents and grandparents that I was leaving the Church. So, motivated by what I had seen in other religions, and inspired by my Confirmation, I decided to find out more about Catholicism!
I could read and memorize Scripture too! I could speak to God from the heart in spontaneous prayer. I could ensure that my Sabbath was truly honoured in various ways. I could learn more about the Mass. I could seek answers for Catholic rituals and rules. Thirty-five years ago, I started to ask meaningful questions, and I have never stopped.
In addition to my observations, my curiosity, and my commitment to the sacraments, I know that the Gifts of the Spirit sustained me, even when I was unaware that they were working within my soul. Furthermore, although my parents and grandparents never realized the depth of the discernment taking place in my young heart, I am confident that their prayers for my faith and eternal salvation kept me “home” in the Catholic Church.
This is why each day, I pray for “my” children: four biological children, godchildren, nieces and nephews, those I have sponsored in Confirmation, and every student I have ever taught. The prayers of others formed a net for me when I was unaware that I was falling; therefore, I pray that my prayers will likewise strengthen—or restore—faith in those around me.
Rooted in the gifts of the Spirit, may we all be renewed in faith, bearing sweet Fruits with our words, our actions, our prayers, and our very lives.
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