Advice given in 1986 from priests to confirmandi

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

As we find ourselves once more within the season of confirmations in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, there is a document in the archives that those who are currently studying to receive the sacrament – and those of us who may have received it long ago – should be aware of. In 1986 each of those who were to be confirmed in the Cathedral of the Madeleine parish received letters from their sponsors explaining what the sacrament had meant to them. There were also letters to the entire class from Father (later Monsignor) M. Francis Mannion, Cathedral rector, remembering his confirmation as a boy in Ireland, and Father Thomas J. Meersman, both of which contain inspiring and instructive insights. Here are excerpts from their letters.

Fr. Mannion:  “It is a long time ago since my confirmation. It was actually in 1962 – before most of you were born. I remember it as a wonderful day in my life. I recall being very frightened by the bishop’s presence, because he examined us in detail on catechism before he confirmed us. I remember being disappointed that I did not feel any different immediately afterwards. But, of course, the gifts of Confirmation are gentle gifts. We are often not aware of them until much later, after we have worked on them and learned to use them and put them into effect.

“I am sure I will feel very close to you all this year, as this will be the first confirmation of my Rectorship. Please keep me in your prayers. I shall keep you in mine. Please keep in mind that you can always come and talk to me whenever you want to.”

Fr. Meersman: [During World War II, as Captain Meersman, he had served as navigator and bombardier on bombing missions over Germany.  He was shot down on his 33rd mission and spent a year as prisoner of war.]  

“We need the grace of this great sacrament to be strong in our faith and to lead our lives as Jesus wants us to live them. We all know that it is easy to be bad. We all know that to be good, as Christ taught us, takes strength which this sacrament will give us, hence the name Confirmation. The supernatural strength comes from the Holy Spirit in a special way ... and it will be yours to use.

“No one knows when they will need the grace of Confirmation. I think back to the days when I was flying airplanes, when we were at war with Nazi Germany. Each morning before we took off, after the bombs were in place, fuel tanks full, guns all loaded, and we were waiting for daybreak to take off, I would walk around the plane saying the rosary. I don’t know why, but it seemed the thing to do. We all knew that some of us would not be returning from the mission. It was easy to pray. ... I knew how to pray. ... I had been confirmed. In the days following being shot down, jailed, interrogated, imprisoned, days of solitary confinement, it was easy to think of God and talk to him. ... I knew how to pray. ... I had been confirmed. I knew that God was near at all times. Where did I learn all this? I had been confirmed. You know how to pray, you know that God is ever near you when you need Him. ... You are to be confirmed. All the knowledge that you have learned about your faith and God, you will never forget. … It will return to you when you need it. Do not forget the day of your confirmation. Go forth into life more mature spiritually. Carry with you always the thoughts of God that you have learned in your preparation for this great moment. You can be proud that you have earned the title of being a confirmed Catholic.”