Sadly for too many people Confirmation means the end. The thought this Sacrament brings to mind is: “I can now decide for myself if I will continue going to Mass.” The belief that I’m now an adult in the Church—at age 15 when society keeps raising the age of childhood upwards till soon we will be having “youthful indiscretions” at age 48! this idea of “Catholic adulthood” is all wrong and it leads to asking the wrong question, rather Confirmation should pose just one question for us to ponder: “What kind of Catholic Christian shall I be?”

And then, How will I use the seven (7) Gifts of the Holy Spirit in my life…?

-> Will I take the gift of Heavenly Wisdom and learn to value the things of God, i.e., the earth, all life, all peoples?

-> Will I accept the gift of Understanding and come to grasp the mysteries of my faith? When something presents itself that is un-seen or –known, will I seek to trust and believe in God?

-> In the gift of Counsel, will I allow God into my mind and make wise decisions…about my life, marriage, integrity and moral convictions?

-> Will I give the gift of Fortitude a chance to enable me strengthen my will, aligning it to God’s Will?

-> Will I happily accept the gift of Knowledge and enlighten my mind to God’s ways? Will I see how His great love for me calls me to a higher good—which will lead me ultimately to His fullness in the Kingdom?

-> And will I let the gift of Piety produce in me not an embarrassment of faith but rather call me to a desire to love and serve God in-and-through my words and deeds?

-> And will the great gift of Fear (respect) of the Lord call me to recognize God’s majesty—and seeing my talents or brilliance or beauty as gifts from God as well as for me and meant for the good of others; that I am the created and God is the Creator.

May we use well the seven (7) Gifts of the Holy
Spirit and use them in right relationship so as to produce the
nine (9) Fruits of the Holy Spirit as noted by Saint Paul: “But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) For they
make a great life in this world and in the world to come.