Stepping forward in faith, 936 receive Sacrament of Confirmation

Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, anoints the head of a Confirmation candidate during a celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at a Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on the Jan. 12, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Dell’Oro confirmed 936 Catholics across eight Masses around the Archdiocese in January. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)

HOUSTON — With each step forward towards Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell'Oro, CRS, more than 900 adults made a commitment in faith and presented themselves to God.
One by one, bearing the name of a Confirmation saint, they reverently bowed slightly before Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Dell’Oro 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.

PHOTOS: January adult confirmations celebrate faith

In total, 936 Catholics from at least 63 parishes across the Archdiocese received the Sacrament of Confirmation at eight separate Masses celebrated by Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Dell’Oro across three different days in January.

They celebrated Masses on the feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 5 at four parishes, including St. Ignatius of Loyola in Spring, St. Maximilian Kolbe in Houston, St. Angela Merici in Missouri City and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. They also celebrated three Masses at the Co-Cathedral, Christ the Redeemer in Houston and St. Helen in Pearland on the Jan. 12 feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

A final Mass was celebrated on Jan. 15 at Prince of Peace in Houston, bringing the final total of adults confirmed to more than 900, which is nearly 200 more than last year in 2024 and a nearly 70% increase of adult Confirmations as compared to 2023.

A solemn moment in the Liturgy fills the entire sanctuary with silence before Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Dell’Oro recited a prayer that invokes God the Father for an “outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” according to the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The bishop extends his two hands over all those to be confirmed, a sign of continuity of the New Testament custom of laying hands on those who would receive the gift of the spirit.

“All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit, you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life,” both Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Dell’Oro said in prayer. “Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.”

The seven gifts traditionally associated with the spirit are inspired by Isaiah 11:1-3 and include wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety or reverence and fear of the Lord, also known as wonder and awe.

The Mass also included a renewal of baptismal promises, showing the connection between Confirmation and Baptism. Confirmation, like Baptism, is only given once since it also “imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark.”

After anointing the forehead of each candidate with chrism, a fragrant oil mixture consecrated every year during Holy Week at the annual Chrism Mass, Cardinal DiNardo greeted each sponsor, thanking them for their guidance and presence.

Likewise, Bishop Dell’Oro beamed as he welcomed the hundreds of candidates, also anointing them with chrism, each representing a unique story of the Catholic faith and a testament of their community.

Following the customary greeting of “Peace be with you” and a momentary pause, they each responded with “And with your spirit.”