My Journey Towards Confirmation

May 25, 2017

By Natasha Anne Pereira
Sunday, April 30 was the day of my Confirmation, together with 65 classmates in the Church of St Thomas More. The Mass was celebrated by Most Rev Archbishop Julian Leow, with parish priest Fr Raymond Pereira concelebrating.

I can’t believe I have reached the point in my life where I am a confirmed Soldier of Christ. I have had a long and difficult path to get here but the reward is worth the journey. I have learned a lot on my way, especially during my time in Sunday school from Standard 1 all the way till today, especially so, in Form 5.

We know that religion is considered a very important part of life. Often, the aspects of religion are passed down from parent to child, and I too experienced this influence, as I grew up in a Roman Catholic family.

I was baptised as a baby and as long as I can remember, I attended Mass every Sunday with my family. Things in my life that have strengthened my relationship with God have been times of great sorrow and times of happiness.

When I was 15 years old, I lost my grandfather who was my pillar of strength and my happiness. After losing him, I pulled away from God because I was angry and hurt and I never really understood why God had to take him away from me. It took me a year to accept the fact that he was gone. I slowly realised that God took him away to stop the pain and sufferings he was going through in the hospital. Now I see things from the brighter point of view and I thank God for giving me my very own guardian angel from above.

I became much more involved in what went on in the Church in Forms 4 and 5; helping out with Lent activities and joining Ministries. Soon I went through the process of Confirmation, which is when I got confirmed in the eyes of the Church. Through this Sacrament, a person becomes an adult Catholic; that is, they mature in the way they communicate with God and in conveying His message. Confirmation involves receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In a way, it is a re-enactment of when the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles and gave them strength to teach as Jesus did. To be confirmed requires a lot of guidance, and the sponsor is present at the ceremony to “deliver” the one being confirmed, just as Jesus delivered the apostles to the Holy Spirit. I had chosen my Godmother as my sponsor. During the Confirmation Mass, the different feelings inside of me were captivating. The Mass itself actually helped me realise the amazing responsibilities of being a Catholic and even the benefits it had to offer.

Being a member of the Church, I will be as good a member as I am a best friend because the same principles are used in both. In the Bible, the Book of Proverbs says, ‘A merry heart does the soul good.’ Always remember life is important and it is for living. Enjoy the life God has given you. I know I have, and will.