Confirmation Mass

Confirmation Mass (((HOMILY))

by Father Brian J. Soliven on Saturday September 26, 2020

Every Sacrament is a powerful gift of grace. Last Saturday was no different. I had the great honor of bestowing the Sacrament of Confirmation on twelve of our young people. Under normal circumstances the Bishop is the ordinary minister, but due to the diocesan wide COVID shutdown, he delegated this awesome honor to the local pastors. In this Sacrament the same Chrism oil used at their baptism makes reappearance. This ancient, aromatic oil is smeared across the crown of their foreheads as I say the prayer, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." At that moment, the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity descends upon them, strengthening the graces they need to live the adventure of the Christian life. Next weekend, two more groups of our dear young people will also receive this same gift. And each time a new soul receives this grace of Confirmation, the demons tremble in fear -- another Christian soldier has just entered the arena with new armor and sword in hand (cf. Ephesians 6:10-18).