"Celebrate What You Have Become" - Palmer-Buckle

The Christian Journal, Bronx, New York - The Saint Luke Catholic Church celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in a colorful ceremony at the church over the weekend. The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments through which Catholics pass in the process of their religious upbringing. In the Catholic doctrine, in this sacrament, members are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and are strengthened in their Christian life.

The candidates who completed their initiation were mostly Middle School, High school, College students, and a few adults who made the choice to become confirmed after completing the mandatory Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults class. Nearly 700 people, mostly Ghanaians and their families along with some other nationals witnessed the ceremony.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Ghana, The Most Very Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, who has served in that capacity since 2005, performed the ceremony for the 18 confirmands.

The confirmands, joined by their parents, families and friends took their seats at exactly 4:30 p.m. in their white dresses.

In his address, Archbishop Buckle told the candidates that their confirmation was an acceptance of responsibility for their faith and destiny. He noted that what makes the occasion unique was its confirmation of their faith in Christ, pointing out that during confirmation, the focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith.

Quoting from Saint Augustine, he told them to celebrate what they have become and become what they celebrate. Archbishop Buckle stressed that after the sacrament, they would feel the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that would guide them to lead righteous lives.

“Celebrate it because the Holy Spirit dwells in you, become apostles, missionaries to make the world a better place. That is the essence and the importance of this sacrament. Be happy because of His resurrection. We have to rejoice as Christians. If Christian will live the way Christians are suppose to live we will have a happy world,” he emphasized.

The Archbishop told the confirmands that if God has brought them that far, there is no reason He can't finish what He has started and urged them to let the sacrament manifest in their lives, their work place and in everything they do. “Celebrate Christ for the hope and joy he has left you. Let the hope in Christ manifest in you as a husband, wife and friend and in everything you do,” he said.

Speaking to The Christian Journal shortly after the service, Mr. Emmanuel Asare, a member of St. Luke Church, who was at the service to support his God daughter, Gifty Boanoh, said the Sacrament of Confirmation isn't something to take lightly because it strengthens and helps spiritual life. He therefore urged the confirmands to see the occasion as a blessing and a turning point in their lives because of what it portends for their lives.

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