It was a beautiful sunny Sunday, the 13th of September, when, after months of patient preparation and waiting, and very much supported by her sponsor, Katrien Derde, Denise Bosman received the Sacrament of Confirmation that she so longed for.
Originally planned for Pentecost, and postponed because of the corona restrictions, her big day finally arrived.
Father Juan Carlos Tinjaca sscc, wearing a red stole, a gift from his mother, presided at the Eucharist and was delegated to administer Confirmation.
Deacon Marc Michiels proclaimed the Gospel according to John:
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you.”’ (Jn 14, 15-17)
Following the homily, Denise renewed her baptismal vows together with the whole community. Then, with outstretched hands, Father Juan Carlos prayed:
“Send your Holy Spirit upon her to be her helper and guide. Give her the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill her with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.”
It was very quiet in the church when he anointed her forehead with chrism and spoke the words with a loud voice:
“Denise, be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“The oil — chrism — is a therapeutic and cosmetic substance which by entering the bodily tissues medicates wounds and perfumes the limbs; because of these qualities it is used in biblical and liturgical symbolism to express the action of the Holy Spirit who consecrates and permeates the baptized, adorning them with charisms. The Sacrament is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, administered by the Bishop by the imposition of his hand and with the words: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”. The Holy Spirit is the invisible gift that is bestowed and the chrism is its visible seal. In receiving on the forehead the sign of the cross with fragrant oil, confirmands thus receive an indelible spiritual imprint, the ‘character’, which confirms them more perfectly to Christ and gives them the grace to spread the ‘good aroma’ among men (cf. 2 Cor 2:15).” (Pope Francis, 30 May 2018)
At the end of the celebration, an icon of Mary was presented to Denise from the whole community, and, with great applause, our sister was welcomed into the church community.
