Today, 11 Oct 2011, is the anniversary of my Confirmation. It is a day to give thanks for all the graces that have flowed from this sacrament in my life. Baptism starts us on the Christian journey, the Eucharist is the essential nourishment for the jourmey, and Confirmation gives us the co-ordinates for the journey, the personal mission, and the graces to accomplish it.

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about Confirmation (passage 1303): “Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: 1) it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ 2) it unites us more firmly to Christ 3) it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; 4) it renders our bond with the Church more perfect, and 5) it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and acton as true witneses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.”

Deeply engraved in my heart are the words reported to have been spoken by souls leaving Purgatory for Heaven to St Margaret Mary Alacoque, “Ingratitude has never entered Heaven.” So I make it a special point to give thanks to God on each sacramental anniversary. I thank Him today for all of the actions of the Holy Spirit in my life and for all the spiritual and other gifts He has given to me through this holy sacrament. For Confirmation, I also thank St Anne for her ongoing and effective intercession on my behalf as my Confirmation Saint. I give thanks, too, for the love, Christian witness and guidance I have received from my earthly Confirmation sponsor, who is also my godmother.

The graces received on that Friday night so long ago through the ministry of the bishop are still unfolding in my life. My prayer is that I might become more responsive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and more open to His action in my life. As I teach the youngsters in my Confirmation class, the more attuned we are to the Holy Spirit’s promptings the more exciting our daily Christian adventure with God becomes.

Thank you Holy Spirit!

St Anne, mother of Our Lady, pray for us.