May 24, 2023 “Do you remember your confirmation?” While confirmation has been on my mind a lot lately, as my son, Jacob, was confirmed a couple weeks ago, I hadn’t thought of mine much until that question was posed to me by one of this newspaper’s columnists, Msgr. Whitmore. I remember big details of that day – the bishop, my sponsor, my confirmation saint – but can’t really remember much of the Mass. The only other time I even considered my confirmation in recent memory was at the diocese’s 150th Anniversary Mass. At that Mass, I had an opportunity to chat with Bishop Paul S. Loverde, the bishop who confirmed back in the 1990s. After exchanging introductions and pleasantries, I told Bishop Loverde he had confirmed me. Without skipping a beat, he responded, “I’m glad it stuck.” I laughed out loud. I’m glad it stuck, too. Oftentimes, we don’t feel different after receiving a sacrament, or at least I don’t. That’s certainly true of my confirmation. I remember thinking after, “that was no big deal. Nothing happened.” Looking back, that’s almost laughable. The Holy Spirit is and has been active in my life. I have countless example of it, especially in the last seven years or so, as I’ve looked for them more. The gifts of the Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord – have been gifts in my life. I may not remember my confirmation, but it certainly stuck, and I pray the gifts of the sacrament stay with and are recognized by those receiving it this year as they move through their lives. |
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