Being Catholic {John’s Sacrament of Confirmation}

On a blustery afternoon at the end of last month, John celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation.

It was a beautiful and memorable mass, celebrated by our parish priest and Archbishop Hartmayer. Having a pew overflowing with John’s loved ones, particularly after the last eighteen months, was a feeling I will carry with me for a long, long time.

The Catholic Church views confirmation as a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ. It confers the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the recipient. John prepared for confirmation for three years, including prayer, studies and retreats. The seven gifts bestowed upon him on this special day are wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord.

John chose Sister, also his godmother, as his sponsor. Your sponsor can be any member of the church, and does not have to be family or your godparent. The role of the sponsor is to help prepare for the confirmation, to model the behaviors of a practicing catholic, and to ensure the readiness of their candidate. As I’m sure many of you have experienced, it was a surreal moment to see your sister walk your son down the long aisle of the church and present him for confirmation. Archbishop Hartmayer performed the rite, which includes the laying on of hands and anointing the forehead with chrism.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

I should note that as a gift to the confirmation class, the parish hired a photographer to document the day. I am so grateful that these once in a lifetime moments were captured and that we could sit back and just be present. I loved seeing this tiny communicant in the gallery.

At the end of mass, we had a few minutes to talk with Archbishop Hartmayer. I thought it was extremely special that he was the beloved Bishop of Savannah before becoming Archbishop of Atlanta last year! It was one of those little details that made things feel as if they had come full circle. I always thought I’d raise my children in Savannah and that these events would happen at the Cathedral. It was a God wink on this special day. <3

We had a feast and celebration at home following the mass. John was surrounded by his entire family, his closest friends, and a group of incredibly special adults that have been influential, loving and endlessly supportive of him for the last fifteen years. It was, in his words, the night he will remember most from his life so far. I can’t wait to share all of those photos when Sister downloads them from her camera….. SISTER!!!! GET ON IT!

Baptism

Reconciliation

First Communion

I have never felt God’s love shine down so greatly upon this child as it did on his confirmation day. May the Lord bless and keep John today, and every day of his life.

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6 thoughts on “Being Catholic {John’s Sacrament of Confirmation}

  1. What a wonderful event that happened in your family’s life.
    The steps of Catholicism are all important.
    Enjoy your family.

  2. God bless him and your family! I appreciate how you share your faith with your readers. I have taken some of your suggestions for celebrating sacraments in our family (I really love the idea you gave for Holy cards for sacraments!)

  3. Oh I love this so much. Mine were confirmed at St Peter Chanel. It’s Such a special time. Glad you could sit back and enjoy it .

  4. Dear Amanda,
    I am so touched by the sharing of this. I was tearing up. This is so meaningful.
    May God keep blessing all of you. Jill

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