55 young Catholics confirmed

Fifty-five teenaged Catholics recently committed to deepening their bond with God when they received the sacrament of Confirmation.

During a special Youth Mass at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral on October 4, the pandemic and its protocols did not derail plans for a group of 22 to take the next step in their journey of faith.

The Cathedral did not exceed its congregation quota and used online streaming to share the Mass with the wider community. The same obtained on September 27 when 33 teens were confirmed at St Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church.

Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics; the others are Baptism and Eucharist – which is often referred to as First Communion.

Through Confirmation, there is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit to help young people practise their Catholic faith in every aspect of life and to bear witness to Jesus Christ in all situations.

Father Clement Paul told the newly confirmed at St Patrick’s that while they were now required to be witnesses of Christ, this did not mean they must walk around preaching and trying to convert all their friends and relatives.

He explained that the way they lived their lives would be the best form of witnessing— to God and to others. Father Paul encouraged them to see themselves as Catholic young adults on their journey in the life of faith.

He cautioned them about some of the potential pitfalls that lay ahead, like drug use and teenage sexuality, but assured them
that the power of the Holy Spirit in them could conquer anything.

In the month of October, Catholics focus on mission and the contribution of missionaries across the globe. The theme of Mission Month 2020 is “Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6:8), and the recently confirmed teenagers are being encouraged to respond to God’s call and become missionary disciples.

In his dismissal at the end of Mass, Father Paul told the Catholic young adults to “Go in peace and love and serve the Lord.”

At St Dominic’s, Father Andy Nyga confirmed the 33 teenagers. He and Father Paul are the co-delegates of Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, Apostolic Administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown.

The two priests were given permission by Archbishop Gordon to administer the sacrament of Confirmation since the archbishop is still unable to travel to Barbados because the Trinidad and Tobago border remains closed. (PR)