Udupi: Confirmation administered to forty five youths in Mother of Sorrows Church

By Benedict Noronha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 22 May 2011: Forty five  youths, boys and girls of  Mother of Sorrows Parish, Udupi were administered the Sacrament of Confirmation by Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar of the Udupi District on Sunday, May 22, 2011 during the 7.15 am mass.

 

Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes was joined by Fr. Clifford Fernandes, faculty member of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore and Fr. Melwyn Noronha, assistant parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi in concelebrating the mass.

 

In his homily, Fr. Clifford explained the meaning and significance of the Sacrament of Confirmation to the candidates and pointed out the responsibilities of the Confirmation candidates after receiving this important Sacrament. He further declared that after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, the candidates would be considered as the ‘Soldiers of Jesus Christ’.

 

 

Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes administered the Sacrament of Confirmation individually to 45 candidates. Confirmation is a rite of initiation,  normally carried out through anointing  and reciting prayer for the purpose of bestowing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit through the sign of cross with the chrism oil on their forehead followed by a gentle slap on the cheek  of the candidates.

 

The liturgy of the mass was animated by the Confirmation candidates. They also organised the offertory procession.  Following the mass the candidates and the priests along with the Episcopal Vicar posed for group pictures.