Record number of adults receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during May 17 Mass
SALT LAKE CITY — Almost 400 adults from parishes and missions throughout Utah received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Oscar A. Solis at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on May 17, the largest number to be confirmed in a single Mass in the history of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Another 120 are scheduled to be confirmed on June 14. Together, this is the largest group of confirmandi in the history of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, according to cathedral records.
“My first thought at learning of the incredible number of adult candidates this year was surprise. I took two surveys of the parishes just to be certain,” said Lorena Needham, director of the diocese’s Office of Worship.
The numbers made her realize the “amazing amount of work our parish initiation catechists were doing,” she said. “They didn’t just prepare unbaptized adults to become Christians; they welcomed those who for various reasons had to postpone their Christian initiation. Then my thoughts turned to the rest of the people of the diocese and how they also recruited, encouraged, invited and warmly welcomed people to live their faith more fully. … My conclusion: We are truly becoming a diocese of missionary disciples.”
That so many adults in the diocese are continuing their faith journey is a reflection of all the efforts the diocese as a whole has made in recent years, she said, and pointed to 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
In the past five years, “Everyone has generously and enthusiastically supported the Encuentro Eucharistic Rally, vibrant worship [efforts], implementation of the new Order for the Christian Initiation of Adults, the Utah Catholic Conference, the Year of Hope and the SEEK Conference,” she said.
In addition, Bishop Solis has encouraged all pastors and parishes to persevere in complying with the Pastoral Plan, which has faith formation as a priority, she said.
The large group of adults being confirmed is “the fruit of our collective labors under the leadership of Bishop Solis,” Needham said. “They are the sign of the abundance of grace in our diocese.”
It is never too late for Catholics to become full members of the Church by receiving all the Sacraments of Initiation and continuing their faith journeys, she said.
“Our citizenship is found in eternity, not here on earth. We have many preparations to make before we enter eternal life: learning to love and be loved, to forgive and be forgiven, to work for the common good, to pray for others, and to claim the promises of Christ for our salvation. We need to learn to be excellent priests, prophets and servants of the kingdom through our baptism. We must learn and share the Good News that God is always waiting to embrace us with his love and forgiveness and promises of life through the resurrection,” Needham said.
For the May 17 ceremony, the Cathedral of the Madeleine was filled to capacity, so the event was live-streamed in the social hall, where there was overflow seating.
Bishop Solis welcomed everyone to “the Mother Church of the Diocese of Salt Lake City,” and acknowledged that the confirmandi had been “preparing yourselves in order to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your lives.”
Concelebrating the Mass were Father Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral, and Father Arokia Dass David, administrator of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price. Assisting were Deacon John Kranz, diocesan chancellor, and Deacon Guillermo Mendez.
After Needham presented the candidates to the bishop, he asked them two questions: “How many seven sacraments are there?” and “How many Ten Commandments are there?” to which all the congregation smiled and answered.
In a more serious note, the bishop said, “The most important thing I would like to share with you is what this confirmation means. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, you will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit – the fulfillment of Christ descends on us and advocates for us.”
In today’s world it is very difficult to believe in God and follow him, “because there are many distractions and temptations that take our focus away from God,” Bishop Solis said. “That is why it is very important to open our hearts and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
After publicly renewing their baptismal promises and reaffirming their commitment to the Christian faith, one by one the candidates for Confirmation, accompanied by their sponsors, stood in front of the bishop, who extended his hands over each, calling on God to send the Holy Spirit. He anointed each candidate on the forehead with Chrism oil, saying, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the bishop asked the newly confirmed to “Bring the joy of the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to your own parishes; show them the joy of the Holy Spirit that you have received.”
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