I like traveling around the diocese and visiting one-third of our far flung parishes. Also, I generally have a meal with those priests who have candidates for a particular confirmation liturgy. Most especially, I like the contact with our young people who have little opportunity to see the bishop whose name is mentioned at every eucharist. I am most impressed with our candidates who spend two years in preparation, who have an individual sponsor who serves as a role model of the parish community. I find our young people deeply spiritual. They hunger for God, for meaning in their lives. They grow to find their Catholic faith not something imposed from the outside, something they were made or expected to live, but a faith for which they can take personal ownership. Their self-respect and self-understanding becomes identified with a close, abiding and loving relationship with God and with the church’s community of faith.

Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the fullness of the life of the church. Along with baptism and eucharist, a believer is incorporated into Christ. Confirmation completes baptism. At baptism, a person becomes a member of the family of God, the community of believers. At confirmation, the church sends forth the newly confirmed to witness to Christ in their lives and to be the person of Christ to others. Just as Jesus was sent to us by the Father, so in response to the command of Christ, we are being sent forth as disciples, followers of Jesus, and apostles who witness to the risen Christ.

Living out one’s faith in today’s culture is not easy because of all the emphasis on secularism, selfishness and materialism. Those to be confirmed need the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit, as happened with the first Pentecost, will enflame the hearts of those confirmed to strengthen them in their resolve to live the faith which they profess, to give them courage to witness to that faith, to be persons of conviction.

With this Spirit, the confirmed will be able to stand up for, rather than be ashamed of their faith. Jesus promised to be with us and his church until the end of time - this presence is the Spirit, the life and energy of God, the moving of God in our lives. Just as Jesus was led by the Spirit in his public ministry, so does that same Spirit guide, enlighten and enliven us so that the mission of Christ continues through us in this our own day.

I like to understand the gifts of the Holy Spirit as transforming our natural gifts and talents so that we become the instruments of God’s grace or a sacrament to others. Just as God gifts us, so we in turn gift others. That simply means that each of us is important to the work of Christ, each of us has been created for a purpose and that we will touch lives that others cannot or will not touch. Remember that God has created us for a purpose and no one can take our place or substitute for us. God does not reveal what plans are being made for us. Thus, we are to walk in the Spirit ever open to God’s grace leading us each step on life’s journey.

Candidates for confirmation are expected to write a letter to their pastor indicating why they wish to be confirmed. Here are some excerpts from a few letters which indicate the depth of spirituality of our young people. They write . . .

From Saint Augustine Parish in Richmond: “During my 17 years I have come to understand the power of God more and more; my relationship with God has grown stronger and deeper over the course of my life. I am ready to express to all my relationship with God and my role as part of the Catholic Church community”.

From Incarnation Parish in Charlottesville: “The confirmation process has taught me something about being Catholic. I am not supposed to find just comfort in my faith and gather strength for myself, but also to spread my faith to others. I have learned this year that I am to help others through my faith and not only benefiting myself”.

From Saint Luke Parish in Virginia Beach: “When I first entered the confirmation process I wanted to please my parents. My first intentions were to come to class, listen and let it be over with. As time went on, I actually liked attending class. I began to discover who I was spiritually and what I truly believed in. I began to share my beliefs about church and my personal faith with other teenagers. My relationships around me have grown and I have grown more mature. Being in touch with God in my life made me a much happier person and has given me hope. This is the confirmation of all I believe, the culmination of my beliefs, morals and values”.

These messages are simply a glimpse into the excellent confirmation programs in all our parishes. Many people - parents, sponsors, catechists and priests have dedicated themselves to help young people on their faith journey. I get to see firsthand the results of their efforts as the young people step forward - about 1,800 of them in all - to say “yes” to God and to have their heads anointed with chrism. This anointing seals and blesses the commitments that they have already made in their hearts. Every year we have a new Pentecost for and with the young people of our diocese!