Pope Leo XIV speaks to recently confirmed students at today's General Audience

 

Pope Leo XIV at General Audience  (@Vatican Media)

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Pope: 'Holy Spirit is not a treasure to keep hidden, but a light to let shine each day'

Pope Leo XIV tells recently confirmed young people at his weekly General Audience that the Holy Spirit is "a light to let shine each day," recalling that this week the Church commemorates Saints Augustine and Monica.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“Dear young people, in Confirmation you have received the most beautiful gift, the Holy Spirit: it is not a treasure to be kept hidden, but a light that you must make shine every day.”

Pope Leo XIV offered this reminder to the confirmands from the Diocese of Chiavari, accompanied by their Bishop, during his remarks to Italian pilgrims at his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Pope also greeted young people, the sick, and newlyweds.

He recalled that Thursday and Friday, the liturgical calendar commemorates two great Saints, Saint Monica and Saint Augustine, who, he observed, were united on earth by family ties" and now "in heaven, by the same destiny of glory.”

“May their example,” Pope Leo said, “inspire in each of you a sincere and passionate search for the Truth of the Gospel, so that you may bear witness to it joyfully in your daily lives.”

Pope Leo XIV enthusiastically meets with 1,000 teenage confirmands in Rome

 

Pope Leo XIV greets young Catholics from the Archdiocese of Genoa (@Vatican Media)

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Pope: Holy Spirit received at Confirmation gives us strength to follow Jesus

Pope Leo XIV encourages young people of the Italian Archdiocese of Genoa to keep their enthusiasm and commitment to Christ after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

By Devin Watkins

As around 1,000 young Catholics from the Archdiocese of Genoa in northern Italy made a pilgrimage to Rome, Pope Leo XIV met with them on Saturday to encourage their desire to follow Christ.

The young people have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, which completes the sacraments of initiation and seals the baptized person with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In his off-the-cuff remarks, Pope Leo said one of the greatest joys of every Bishop is the opportunity to celebrate Confirmations, since it is “truly the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

“It is very beautiful to receive this Sacrament,” he said, “because the fullness of the Holy Spirit gives us enthusiasm, strength, and the ability to follow Jesus Christ, to say “Yes” to the Lord always, and not to be afraid to follow courageously, to live the faith in a world that so often wants to lead us far from Jesus.”

He noted that next Sunday, May 24, marks Pentecost Sunday, when the Church recalls the experience of the first disciples, who received the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the love of God.

Pope Leo XIV speaks off-the-cuff to the Confirmands (@Vatican Media)

Each of the Confirmands, said the Pope, is called to be a participant in the Church’s mission and is sent to their friends and families to bear witness to the “Spirit who lives in us.”

Just as Confirmation marks a great joy for Bishops, it often brings them sadness, he said, since many young people never set foot in the church again, disappearing from their parishes.

Pope Leo therefore appealed to young Catholics to pay special attention to the Holy Spirit’s gift of perseverance, so that they live their faith together.

“Do not forget what you have lived in this time,” he said. “May your joy in coming to Rome to celebrate together and pray together live in your hearts, and may you continue to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and persevere in the faith.”

Pope Leo XIV takes a selfie with one of the Confirmands (@Vatican Media)

As they return to their parishes, the Pope invited them to participate in the many activities and opportunities offered so that they can live in community.

“We do not live the faith alone; we live it together,” he said. “And forming these relationships of friendship and community is a way to live perseverance as disciples of Jesus.”

Finally, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the young Confirmands from Genoa to enjoy this moment of grace as they receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit and maintain it throughout their lives.

“It is very important,” he said, “that each one of you also make this commitment, this promise to the Lord: that you truly want to continue as His friends, His disciples, His missionaries, and that you want to persevere in the faith.”

New age for Confirmation in the Diocese of Baton Rouge

 

Confirmation Guidelines Diocese of Baton Rouge

Confirmation Guidelines

08 December 2024
The Second Sunday of Advent
 
To The Priests, Deacons, and Faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge:
 
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
 
Together, we pray as a church this ancient prayer invoking the power of the Holy Spirit.  This gift of the Spirit is given to all of us in a special way in the Sacrament of Confirmation that fully initiates us into the Church and fills us with these gifts and the enthusiasm to take on the mission of Christ to renew the world.  Many older Catholics remember that the age of Confirmation was younger when we were confirmed.  After the Second Vatican Council, in many places, the age was raised to high school since many leaders felt that the sacrament would be better understood at an older age. This practice has worked well, but times have changed.  
 
Our children are experiencing a culture which, at times, is hostile to our faith.  Through social media of all forms, young people are confronted at a surprisingly younger age with challenges to their Catholic faith and morals.   Given this new reality, I believe it is time to lower the age of Confirmation to give our children the full grace of the Sacrament of Confirmation at an earlier age to meet these challenges.  After consultation with our pastors, catechists, and other evangelizers, I have decided to begin a transition plan in our Confirmation programs that will eventually lower the age of Confirmation to the seventh grade.  Obviously, before we reach the seventh grade, we must create a formation plan for the present eighth graders – tenth graders in our parishes.
 
I make this announcement now so that each pastor can begin the plan for transition that best meets the needs of their parish.   Support from the Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis will be offered to assist parish leaders in making this transition, which will be made as a parish with schools of religion and Catholic schools working together, under the leadership of their pastor. 
 
This transition will be challenging but I also believe it will be a catalyst for foundational changes in how our parishes help our parents to form their children into missionary disciples on fire for Christ.  There is so much more to be said, and you may have many questions.  I simply ask your patience, for now.  Early in the New Year, you will learn more of the specifics of how this change will be implemented in your parish.  You can find a list of Frequently Asked Questions on the diocesan website or through resources provided by your pastor.
 
Come Holy Spirit!
 
Hope in the Lord,

Most Reverend Michael G. Duca
Bishop of Baton Rouge

Wednesday General Audience with Pope Francis

 

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Pope at Audience: Confirmation communicates Holy Spirit's abundant gifts

During his weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis continues his reflections on the Holy Spirit and marvels how young people have the experience of encountering the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

This imminent Jubilee Year, let's be renewed and empowered by the Holy Spirit and bear His gifts in all we do...

Pope Francis offered this encouragement to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday General Audience.

As he continued his catechesis series on the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church, the Pope focused on the gift of the Spirit received in the sacrament of Confirmation. 

In the New Testament, beyond baptism with water, the Pope observed that we see another rite, namely the imposition of hands, "which has the purpose of communicating the Holy Spirit visibly and in a charismatic way," a gesture with "effects analogous to those produced by the Apostles at Pentecost."

Holy Spirit's abundant gifts

The Holy Father went on to recall the "very simple and clear way" the Catechism of adults of the Italian Episcopal Conference speaks about the sacrament, stating: “Confirmation is for all the faithful what Pentecost was for the entire Church. … It strengthens the baptismal incorporation into Christ and the Church and the consecration to the prophetic, royal and priestly mission."

With this in mind, the Pope underscored how the sacrament communicates the abundance of the gifts of the Spirit.

"Therefore, if Baptism is the Sacrament of birth, then Confirmation is the Sacrament of growth," he said. "For this very reason," he insisted, "it is also the Sacrament of witness, because this is closely linked to the maturity of Christian existence.”

Don't reduce sacrament

The Pope warned against "reducing" Confirmation "in practice," to “last rites”, that is the "Sacrament of 'departure' from the Church," because rather it "is the Sacrament of the beginning of an active participation in its life."

"It is a milestone that can seem impossible, given the current situation throughout the Church," he said, "but," he clarified, "this does not mean that we should stop pursuing it."

He acknowledged it will not be the case for all Confirmands, whether they be children or adults, but, regardless, he said, "it is important that it is at least for some who will then go on to be the animators of the community."

For this purpose, he said, it can be useful to welcome the help of lay faithful who have had a personal encounter with Christ, and have had a true experience of the Spirit, in preparing for the sacrament.

Christ's true witnesses

In this sacrament's laying on of hands, the Pope recalled we receive the indelible seal of the Holy Spirit which emboldens us to spread and defend the faith as Christ’s true witnesses in the world.

Moreover, he reminded that Confirmation increases and deepens the life of the Spirit poured out upon us at Baptism and encourages us, and especially the young people who receive the sacrament, to actively engage in the life and mission of the Church. 

Goal for Jubilee Year

Pope Francis recalled how St. Paul urged his disciple Timothy to "rekindle the gift of God, received through the laying on of hands," and observed that the verb used "suggests the image of one who blows on the fire to rekindle its flame."

"Here," Pope Francis marveled before concluding his remarks, "is a beautiful goal for the Jubilee Year: to remove the ashes of habit and disengagement, to become, like the torchbearers at the Olympics, bearers of the flame of the Spirit."

“Here is a beautiful goal for the Jubilee Year: to remove the ashes of habit and disengagement, to become, like the torchbearers at the Olympics, bearers of the flame of the Spirit”

One can read Pope Francis' Full Remarks at the General Audience by clicking HERE:

Pope Francis stresses the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation

 

Pope Francis meets with some young people due to be confirmed  (Vatican Media)

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Pope Francis invites young people to embrace the gift of Confirmation

Pope Francis meets with young people preparing to be confirmed and emphasises the importance of the Sacrament as well as the profound connection between it and the commitments made during Baptism.

By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Saturday addressed a group of children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. In his welcoming remarks, the Pope greeted the parents, family members, catechists, and Bishop Giuseppe Satriano.

Pope Francis opened his address by asking the children whether they knew the date of their baptism. With this question, he encouraged both the children and the adults to reflect on this important milestone, suggesting that the day be celebrated annually, akin to a second birthday. "Have a cake made with candles, too! An extra cake... not bad!", said the Pope

The Pope went on to underline the profound nature of Baptism, saying that, "on that day, we were born to Christian life, to life in Jesus, which lasts forever, it is eternal!" He emphasised that on that day "we entered the great family of the Church, and the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us and never leaves us again; and finally we received the greatest inheritance there is: Paradise!"

The Holy Father went on to speak of the Sacrament of Confirmation, explaining that it serves to solidify and strengthen the commitments made during Baptism. He outlined the roles played by the Holy Spirit and the Church, saying that through Confirmation we "accept this mission as a personal commitment, as protagonists and not spectators".

The Pope illustrated his point by citing the example of Carlo Acutis, a young boy from Milan who died at the age of fifteen, but left a lasting impact through his passionate dedication to Jesus. Carlo used the internet to spread the message of the Gospel, emphasising prayer, witness, and charity. "So, boys and girls", said the Pope, "as the day of your Confirmation approaches, I propose you do the same. Go to Jesus, meet Him, and then tell everyone that it is good to be with Him, because He loves us and is always waiting for us!"

Finally, Pope Francis encouraged the young individuals approaching their Confirmation day to go to Jesus, experience His love, and share the message that "Jesus loves us and is always waiting for us", and he reminded them to always "be witnesses to how beautiful it is to be with Jesus and how much He loves us"

Actor Shia LaBeouf received Confirmation on New Year's Eve

 

Actor Shia LaBeouf fully enters the Catholic Church New Year’s Eve

by Gina Christian

 

(OSV News) — An actor who recently portrayed a beloved saint on screen has now fully come into the Catholic Church in real life.

Shia LaBeouf, a Hollywood veteran and star of director Abel Ferrara’s film “Padre Pio,” received the Sacrament of Confirmation, completing his initiation into the Catholic faith, during the New Year holiday weekend, according to announcements posted Jan. 2 to Facebook and Instagram by the Capuchin Franciscans’ Western American Province.

The friars posted several pictures of a smiling LaBeouf with the friars and Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, who had previously interviewed the actor through his Word on Fire apostolate.

Capuchin Father Joseph Seraphin Dederick, the provincial, told OSV News that Bishop Barron administered the sacrament to LaBeouf at the Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang, California, on Dec. 31

OSV News has reached out to the Capuchins’ Western American Province and Bishop Barron for comment.

“We are thrilled to share that our dear friend Shia LaBeouf has fully entered the Church this past weekend through the Sacrament of Confirmation!” the friars said in their posts, adding that they “are overjoyed to welcome him into the fold and witness his deep commitment to his faith journey.”

Working and personal relationships with friars

LaBoeuf developed both working and personal relationships with the friars while researching his role in “Padre Pio.”

Speaking to OSV News in May, LaBeouf said he “wasn’t even trying to make movies” when Ferrara approached him about the role.

The acclaimed 37-year-old actor — whose Emmy-winning career as a kid on the Disney Channel blossomed into big-screen success — found himself “totally lost” after his inner demons led to partying, work conflicts and run-ins with the law.

“I was wandering around, living in my truck,” he said. “I wasn’t interested in acting anymore.”

As LaBeouf began confronting his personal issues, Ferrara tapped him for “Padre Pio,” a saint to whom the Bronx-born director — best known for his gritty cinematic takes on the underworld — felt himself “drawn.”

While researching the film, LaBeouf met Brother Alexander Rodriguez, a Capuchin Franciscan who is assistant vocation director at the order’s Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang, California.

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Soon LaBeouf was asking about more than one of the congregation’s most beloved saints.

Learning about the Faith

“Shia was looking to know about Padre Pio, and then delved into the faith,” Brother Alexander told OSV News in May. “He got into RCIA (referring to the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). The friars and I were helping to catechize him.”

LaBeouf told OSV News at the time “(learning) how to pray the Rosary” brought a “tangible relief” that he had previously sought through drugs, alcohol and life in the fast lane.

The lessons continued as Brother Alexander accompanied LaBeouf to Italy for filming, with the Capuchin providing technical assistance for the project while appearing in the movie as Padre Pio’s fellow Capuchin and spiritual adviser.

“I fell in love with Christ,” LaBeouf told OSV News in May.

Transformative power of faith

Now the actor, “known for his incredible talent and passion in the entertainment industry, has embarked on a profound spiritual journey that has led him to embrace the teachings of the Catholic Church,” the Capuchin friars wrote in their Jan. 2 Facebook and Instagram posts. “His decision to fully enter the Church is a testament to his sincere desire to grow in his relationship with God and live out the Gospel values.”

The friars added, “As Capuchin Franciscans, we believe in the transformative power of faith and the incredible impact it can have on one’s life. We are humbled and grateful to walk alongside Shia as he takes this important step in his spiritual journey.

“We invite you to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion and to keep Shia LaBeouf in your prayers as he continues to deepen his faith and seek God’s guidance in his life,” the friars said. “May his example inspire others to explore their own spiritual paths and find solace in the loving embrace of the Church.”

On Pentecost we recall the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit

 The Catholic Church recognizes seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; a listing of these gifts is found in Isaiah 11:2-3. (Saint Paul writes of "manifestations of the Spirit" in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, and some Protestants use that list to come up with nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, but these are not the same as the ones recognized by the Catholic Church.)

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are present in their fullness in Jesus Christ, but they are also found in all Christians who are in a state of grace. We receive them when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God within us—as, for example, when we receive a sacrament worthily. We first receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism; these gifts are strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is one of the reasons why the Catholic Church teaches that confirmation is properly viewed as the completion of baptism.

As the current Catechism of the Catholic Church (para. 1831) notes, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit "complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them." Infused with His gifts, we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as if by instinct, the way Christ Himself would.

Click on the name of each gift of the Holy Spirit for a longer discussion of that gift.

01

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Wisdom

Adri Berger/Getty Images

Wisdom is the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit because it is the perfection of the theological virtue of faith. Through wisdom, we come to value properly those things which we believe through faith. The truths of Christian belief are more important than the things of this world, and wisdom helps us to order our relationship to the created world properly, loving Creation for the sake of God, rather than for its own sake.

02

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Understanding

aldomurillo/Getty Images

Understanding is the second gift of the Holy Spirit, and people sometimes have a hard time understanding (no pun intended) how it differs from wisdom. While wisdom is the desire to contemplate the things of God, understanding allows us to grasp, at least in a limited way, the very essence of the truths of the Catholic faith. Through understanding, we gain a certitude about our beliefs that moves beyond faith.

03

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Counsel

Astronaut Images/Getty Images

Counsel, the third gift of the Holy Spirit, is the perfection of the cardinal virtue of prudence. Prudence can be practiced by anyone, but counsel is supernatural. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, we are able to judge how best to act almost by intuition. Because of the gift of counsel, Christians need not fear to stand up for the truths of the Faith, because the Holy Spirit will guide us in defending those truths.

04

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Fortitude

Dave and Les Jacobs/Getty Images

While counsel is the perfection of a cardinal virtue, fortitude is both a gift of the Holy Spirit and a cardinal virtue. Fortitude is ranked as the fourth gift of the Holy Spirit because it gives us the strength to follow through on the actions suggested by the gift of counsel. While fortitude is sometimes called courage, it goes beyond what we normally think of as courage. Fortitude is the virtue of the martyrs that allows them to suffer death rather than to renounce the Christian Faith.

05

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Knowledge

 A stained-glass window of the Holy Spirit overlooking the high altar of Saint Peter's Basilica. Franco Origlia/Getty Images

The fifth gift of the Holy Spirit, knowledge, is often confused with both wisdom and understanding. Like wisdom, knowledge is the perfection of faith, but whereas wisdom gives us the desire to judge all things according to the truths of the Catholic Faith, knowledge is the actual ability to do so. Like counsel, it is aimed at our actions in this life. In a limited way, knowledge allows us to see the circumstances of our life the way that God sees them. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, we can determine God's purpose for our lives and live them accordingly.

06

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Piety

FangXiaNuo/Getty Images

Piety, the sixth gift of the Holy Spirit, is the perfection of the virtue of religion. While we tend to think of religion today as the external elements of our faith, it really means the willingness to worship and to serve God. Piety takes that willingness beyond a sense of duty so that we desire to worship God and to serve Him out of love, the way that we desire to honor our parents and do what they wish.

07

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Fear of the Lord

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The seventh and final gift of the Holy Spirit is the fear of the Lord, and perhaps no other gift of the Holy Spirit is so misunderstood. We think of fear and hope as opposites, but the fear of the Lord confirms the theological virtue of hope. This gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the desire not to offend God, as well as the certainty that God will supply us the grace that we need in order to keep from offending Him. Our desire not to offend God is more than simply a sense of duty; like piety, the fear of the Lord arises out of love.