Report by: Richard D’Souza
Udupi : The Sacrament of Confirmation for 44 candidates and celebration of Pentecost Sunday held at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi diocese near here on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
The Solemn Eucharistic celebration was con-celebrated by Most Rev Fr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca and Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza.
In his homily Bishop said that Baptism frees from original sin, Confirmation strengthens the faith and Eucharist allows candidates to taste the body and blood of eternal life and he is reminded of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Bishop pointed out the role of the Holy Spirit on Moses, Prophets, Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, Apostles and others. The Holy Spirit helped and guided with responsibility on them all. The power of the Holy Spirit was Jesus Christ at the time of His Baptism at Jordan River, at the time of Jesus offering in temple and so on. Virgin Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit and also during Mother Mary’s visit to Mary Magdalene. All the time the power of the Holy Spirit was with Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. During the last Supper, the power of the Holy Spirit poured on Jesus Apostles, Bishop said.
The three Sacraments of initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Each is meant to strengthen our faith and forge a relationship with God. It confers the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety and fear of the Lord) upon the recipient who must be a baptized person at least 7 years old.
The candidates renew their baptized promises or say the Apostles’ Creed the Bishop prays for the gift of the Holy Spirit to come to the candidates, the Bishop lays his hand on the head of each of candidates, anoints the forehead of each candidate’s with Holy Spirit.
This is the Sacrament that follows Baptism as part of the initiation process with God and the Church, where the candidate receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and continues their journey with Christ. During Confirmation, the candidate is anointed on the forehead with Chrism Oil by a Bishop and since Baptism typically happens when the candidate is a baby, confirmation is a great way for an older child to acknowledge that they still want to continue their journey with God and grow their relation with God almighty.
At the end Rector of the Cathedral Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca placed weekly announcements and he thanked the Bishop for the Eucharistic celebration. He wished the faithful on account of celebration of Pentecost Sunday. Bishop handed over the decorated candle to firgent of the feast at the end.
In his remarks, the Bishop was unhappy with the participation of faithful during the first day evening for the various ceremonies held in the Cathedral. He pointed out the importance of the Bishop’s pastoral visit to the churches of the diocese under the Pope. He appealed to the faithful to donate generously for the construction of the priest’s home project.
After the mass, a group photo of Confirmation candidates was taken in front of the Cathedral and later the Bishop visited various Cathedral Organizations at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall.
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