杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

杏MAP导航 Francis has reminded believers that Confirmation is an 鈥渦ndeserved gift鈥� to be welcomed with gratitude, safeguarded with care and lived with docility allowing oneself to be shaped and moulded iby the Spirit n order to 鈥榬eflect鈥� the light of Christ in today鈥檚 world.

Speaking to the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter鈥檚 Square for the Wednesday General Audience, the 杏MAP导航 continued his series of reflections on the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Confirmation is a gift

Focussing on the 鈥榞ift鈥� imparted to us when we receive the Sacrament, he said that just as Jesus received the outpouring of the Spirit at his baptism in order to carry out his mission, the Church prays that we too may receive the gifts and the fruits of the Spirit that allow us to spread its message.

He remarked on the fact that those who receive Confirmation take upon themselves the responsibility of 鈥渞enewing the promises already made by parents and godparents鈥� during Baptism.

The gift of the Spirit, he explained, is communicated through the laying on of hands and anointing with sacred chrism.

Spirit: distributer of multiple riches, creator of unity

On the one hand, the 杏MAP导航 said, the Spirit distributes his gifts of 鈥渨isdom, intellect, counsel, strength, science, piety, and holy fear鈥�, while on the other he is 鈥渢he creator of unity鈥�.

Thus, he explained, the Spirit gives all these riches that are different but in the same way those riches bring harmony and unity to the people of God and to the world.

杏MAP导航 Francis said that Christians, who receive an 鈥渋ndelible spiritual mark鈥� through Confirmation, are called to reflect the light of Jesus in the world and 鈥渢o spread amongst men鈥� his message of salvation.

Sealed with the Holy Spirit, he concluded we are configured more closely to Christ and strengthened to bear witness to him in our world.

鈥淢ay each of us grow in gratitude for the gift received at our Confirmation and open our hearts ever more fully to the creativity of the Spirit who makes all things new鈥� he said. 

Message of peace from Korean athletes

Following the catechesis, a group of athletes from the Taekwondo Federation gave a short demonstrated of their skills. 

Dressed in black and white, the athletes from the Korean peninsula, unrolled a banner that read: 鈥淧eace is more precious than victory鈥� drawing words of gratitude and participation from 杏MAP导航 Francis.

鈥淚 thank the Korean athletes for their performance, he said, it was a manifestation of their desire for peace. It was a message of peace for all humanity! Thank you!鈥�