Sri Lanka: 54 Youth Receive Confirmation to Become 'Soldiers for Christ' in St. Joseph’s Church in Mannar
The Sacrament of Confirmation was conferred on 54 young faithful at St. Joseph’s Church in Katkidanthakulam, in the Diocese of Mannar, north Sri Lanka, during a solemn celebration held on April 19.
The event also marked a formal welcome for the bishop, creating a spiritually vibrant atmosphere for the parish community.
Bishop Antonipillai Gnanapragasam was warmly received upon his arrival at the church at around 6:00 a.m. by parish priest Fr. N. Pegilan Cruz and parishioners.
The Eucharistic celebration followed, concelebrated by several priests. During the Mass, the bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 54 candidates from the parish.
Confirmation, one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, strengthens the faithful with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and deepens their commitment to witnessing Christ in their daily lives.
Delivering the homily during the Mass, Bishop Antonipillai Gnanapragasam said that the Holy Spirit had “created 54 new soldiers today, soldiers for Christ.” He explained that a soldier always obeys the commands of his leader and is ready to lay down his life for the cause he is fighting for. A soldier is also always vigilant.
In the same way, the confirmed become soldiers for Christ, not for this world, but for the Kingdom of Heaven. They are called to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The Holy Spirit strengthens the 54 candidates in this mission and will be their shield.
In the rite, the bishop invoked the Holy Spirit by laying hands on the candidates and anointing their foreheads with sacred chrism, marking them with the seal of the Spirit.
At the end of the Mass, the bishop was honored by the parish community as a gesture of gratitude. The newly confirmed youth were congratulated and presented with certificates, along with blessed rosaries.
The parish also recognized the catechists who had prepared the candidates spiritually for the sacrament.
Parishioners expressed appreciation to the parish priest, catechists, religious sisters, and liturgical teams for organizing the celebration in a prayerful and meaningful manner.
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