Dear Parishioners,

Last Sunday we celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation for 11 adults at the 11:30 Liturgy. Following the liturgy one of our parishioners was saying that she was somewhat confused since there was no bishop present and she had always thought that only a bishop could confirm. As I answered her question I was thinking that some of you may also be wondering how it is that a priest can confirm so I thought I’d take this opportunity to shed some light on this subject J.

First, a little history. In the early church there was no separation between the three Sacraments of Initiation. At the Easter Vigil, those who had been preparing for initiation into the Christian community experienced Baptism, Anointing and Eucharist. (This custom was reinstituted for adults when the Easter Vigil regained its rightful place as the most important liturgy of the year after the Second Vatican Council.) When infant Baptism became the practice after Christianity became the “official” religion of the state, the other sacraments of Initiation were separated from Baptism. (The Eastern Churches, however, retained the custom of celebrating the three moments even for infants and they continue to do this.) The Sacrament of Anointing/ Chrismation was reserved to the Bishop. The other sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist were usually administered by a priest. That is why we associate the sacrament of Confirmation with a Bishop. For a variety of pastoral reasons, the ordinary of the Diocese can give permission to a priest who has worked in the RCIA with those who are seeking baptism and other candidates for full communion to administer the sacrament of Confirmation. There is also a special permission given in this Archdiocese for a priest to confirm baptized/ catechized Catholics who have participated in the RCIA program.

I have to say that one of the most powerful pastoral experiences I have had is “confirming”. When I anoint the person, looking into their eyes, I say “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”. And what a gift it is!

Since the ordinary minister of the sacrament of Confirmation is the Bishop, that’s who will be coming on Pentecost, June 4th to confirm our young people.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank Luz Marina Diaz and the RCIA team for the wonderful work they do with and for those who are seeking initiation into the Catholic community or who are looking to complete the sacraments of initiation. We are blessed at Xavier to have such a great leader and generous parishioners who devote their Sunday afternoons to nurture the faith of all who come seeking the sacramental of the Church.

In the peace of the Risen Christ,

Fr Bob