'Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’: 1,156 adults confirmed in faith in January

At eight separate Masses at seven different parishes, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez, Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, and Daniel Cardinal DiNardo confirmed 1,156 adults from 81 parishes around the Archdiocese in January. (Photos by James Ramos/Herald and Jose Moreno/Christ the Redeemer) HOUSTON — Two by two, they stepped forward.

Bearing the name of a confirmation saint — Augustine, Mary, Bartholomew, Jude and hundreds more — 1,156 adults presented themselves to God as they reverently bowed slightly before Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, and received the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the holy chrism in the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Just a step behind them in presence and prayer, their sponsor witnessed the moment as they placed their hand on the shoulder of the candidate they had walked with on their faith journey. Then, as they walked past the filled pews, the head-turning scent of chrism slowly filled the air. 

Catholics from at least 81 parishes across the Archdiocese received the Sacrament of Confirmation at eight separate Masses. 
They celebrated English, Spanish and bilingual Masses on Jan. 10, Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, at seven different parishes, including St. Maximilian Kolbe in west Houston, St. Bartholomew the Apostle in Katy, St. Ignatius of Loyola in Spring, Christ the Redeemer and Prince of Peace in Houston, St. Angela Merici in Missouri City and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.  

In their homilies, Archbishop Vásquez, Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Dell’Oro each encouraged the newly confirmed to fully embrace their new spiritual gifts. 

Citing St. Paul’s words, “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me,” Archbishop Vásquez emphasized that once baptized, a person belongs to Christ and cannot undo that identity. He added that Baptism must be lived daily, not just remembered as a one-time event.