The Catholic school gym sported shiny yellow floors, cinder-block walls smoothed with dull, industrial paint, grey folding chairs that clanged and screeched, and a stage at the far end for school plays and assemblies. The pastor blew a whistle: girls on one side, boys on the other, find your partner, size order.
It could have been my own Confirmation 40 years ago, so many things looked and sounded the same, right down to red robes and nervous banter of the students waiting for the bishop to arrive. But this scene occurred only yesterday, at St. Eugene’s Parish in Yonkers, New York, where I served as Confirmation sponsor for my good friend’s daughter, Marie-Therese.
Yes, there were some differences from my day. For one, we did not have sponsors back then, when each boy and girl stepped up alone to face the golden-robed bishop, holding out a card with his or her Confirmation name. We joked about getting “slapped” by the bishop, referring to the “tap” on the cheek that had been a part of the Confirmation rite for so many generations but was removed years ago.
Another more noticeable difference were the kids and adults checking cell phones and sending text messages, and the girls wearing more make-up than I ever remember adorning the faces of grade school kids.
Yet it was inspiring to see the bright, freshly scrubbed seventh-grade faces of the boys and girls, full of hope and ready for life. Tall, short, shy, outgoing, of many different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities – they are the people of tomorrow, and this day they were to become young adults in the Catholic faith.
Trying to bring a theological truth down to earth, I told a bright-faced Marie-Therese that there was nothing to worry about. “The great part about the sacraments is that God does all the work and all we have to do is say yes.” I am also her godfather, having stood at the baptismal font with her parents 12 years ago when the waters of salvation were poured upon her head.
“I am so proud of you,” I told her. “Now I must pray for you twice, once as my goddaughter and once again as a Confirmation young lady.”
At last, the altar boys appeared to light the incense as the pastor, in his monsignor’s cassock with royal purple piping, led the way up the stairs to the church. Cameras flashed, proud parents beamed and waved. The bishop processed, with miter and staff, as the choir sang a Holy Spirit hymn.
When the time came, I placed my right hand on Marie-Therese’s shoulder, as the bishop marked her forehead with holy oil, saying, “Be sealed with the Holy Spirit.” The bishop had told the candidates that the true effect of the sacrament will be found in the days to come, in virtuous acts performed and moral choices made, in temptations avoided and resisted, and in a long life walking in the Spirit, close to Jesus and on behalf of others.
As we processed out, I thought of the continuity of the Church, the passing on of this great faith from generation to generation and the never-extinguished hope of the Holy Ghost.
The great Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote:
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
Morning,
I saw the article about Fathers Day,and I really don't know what to do celebration wise? Does anyone have any ideas? It is also my Dads birthday on Fathers Day, so this will mean double the celebration. we should all be thinking about we can do to treat our Dads. My Dad is very special to me so I am going to treat the whole family to a lovely meal out at Dads choice of restaurant – which I am sure he will enjoy! Sometimes I find that Fathers Day cards in the shops are so expensive, so I have found a free alternative. I came across a cool freeFathers Day eCard site which I quite like, there are lots of cards which I know my Dad will like. Whenever I go onto this site I always find new cards which I like, so it maybe worth giving it a try.
Posted by: JenJen | May 19, 2009 at 04:40 AM