A Shepherd's Message - Pentecost 2025

In this message, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez reflects on Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the June 8 celebration of Pentecost, what makes the Sacrament of Confirmation a uniquely powerful gift and encounter in the life of the Church?

The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the Church’s seven Sacraments and a Sacrament of initiation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist. Upon receiving the Sacraments of Initiation, the person is a full member of the Catholic Church with all the rights and privileges but also the responsibilities to be actively involved in the life of the Church.

Confirmation comes from the Latin word confirmatio, which means to give strength or to reinforce, and so this Sacrament strengthens what has already been given in the Sacrament of Baptism. In Baptism, we die with Christ to sin, and we’re born to new life with Christ. Confirmation then strengthens the bond between Christ and ourselves, giving us the grace to be witnesses of Christ in the world.

The Pentecost event is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. The disciples were praying in the Upper Room and the Holy Spirit descended upon them, and the Holy Spirit revealed himself in two ways, namely, a strong driving wind and tongues of fire descending from Heaven.

Wind and fire are two powerful manifestations of God. Wind is something that comes and goes, and we have no control over it. The Holy Spirit cannot be controlled, and it’s the Holy Spirit that gives direction and guides the Church. Fire purifies, burns away and consumes, and it’s a sign of divine love. Like the disciples, who at one time were frightened and scared after they had seen Jesus crucified and die, we are strengthened through the Spirit in a new way. God pours His love into our hearts so that we are filled with courage, no longer afraid, and ready to preach and proclaim Jesus to others.

What inspires you when adults choose to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation later in life?

For different reasons, some men and women don’t receive the Sacrament of Confirmation earlier in life. What matters to me is that they have sought the Church, are asking for the Sacrament, and want to be full members of the Catholic Church.

The Church never considers it too late to receive a Sacrament, and also, Christ always wants us to experience His grace and divine life. The Sacraments are always encounters with the Living Christ, the Risen Christ, and He always offers us eternal life.

Who is your Confirmation saint, and how has their witness influenced your spiritual journey?

My Confirmation saint is St. Stephen, one of the original seven deacons and protomartyr of the Church. We find his story in the Acts of the Apostles, and we read that he witnesses to Christ through his preaching and ultimately dies for the faith.

He even prays for forgiveness for those who are going to stone him; he says: “Do not hold this against them.” I pray that, like St. Stephen, I will be strong in professing my faith in Christ.