A Vietnamese Catholic bishop urged 100 children receiving confirmation to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve their communities and bear witness to the Gospel in daily life.
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Vũ Công Viện made the appeal during an Aug. 18 Mass at Tân Lang Parish in the Archdiocese of Hanoi, where he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to the children, the archdiocese reported.
“The Holy Spirit will come and remain with you, transforming and strengthening you so that you may discern between good and evil and live as children of God,” Vũ told the confirmation candidates.
“At the same time, you are called to use the gifts God has given you to serve the community and become witnesses of the Gospel in daily life,” he said.
Parish priest Father Peter Nguyễn Văn Khích presented the 100 children to the bishop after the Gospel reading.
The children later renewed their baptismal profession of faith with the congregation. Vũ then extended his hands over them and prayed for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Vũ and Father Anthony Trần Quang Tiến, dean of Phủ Lý, anointed each child with sacred chrism during the confirmation rite.
Priests from the Phủ Lý deanery, deacons, seminarians, religious sisters and parishioners attended the Mass.
The archdiocese said the children had taken part in a retreat and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the celebration as part of their preparation for confirmation.
The preparation gave them time to reflect on their faith and prepare to receive the strength of the Holy Spirit, according to the archdiocese.
