On Saturday, I received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
For many Catholics, Confirmation is received during the teenage years, usually around the ages of sixteen or seventeen. For me, it happened thirty one years later. At the age of forty seven, after a long and often winding journey of faith, I finally stood before the Church, before my family, and before God to receive the final sacrament of initiation.
And it was perfect.
Not because it happened when everyone else did, but because it happened in God’s time.
Looking back, I can see that God has been patiently leading me to this moment all along. My faith journey has not always been straightforward. As a teenager, I was far from enthusiastic about attending catechism classes. In fact, I was a terrible teenager and had very little interest in spending my weekends learning about the faith. While many parents might have insisted, I am grateful that my mother never forced me. At the time, I did not appreciate it, but today I understand the gift she gave me.
Had I been forced into Confirmation as a teenager, it might simply have become another obligation completed and forgotten. Instead, receiving Confirmation now was entirely my decision. It was a choice made freely, prayerfully, and intentionally. I chose to say yes to God. I chose to strengthen my faith. I chose to continue walking with Christ.
God truly works in mysterious ways.
From the circumstances that led me back to Him, to the people He placed in my path, to the timing of every step along the journey, I can now see His hand guiding me. There were moments when I thought Confirmation would never happen, yet God was quietly preparing everything according to His plan.
I first considered receiving Confirmation in 2024 when I noticed an announcement in our church bulletin inviting adults who had not yet been confirmed to register. My heart immediately felt drawn to it. However, there was one major obstacle. I did not have a sponsor.
As I learned more about the requirements, I realized my mother could not serve as my sponsor. My uncles were not active churchgoers and could not fulfil the role either. With no sponsor in sight, I decided to wait another year.
Then 2025 arrived.
Once again, I hoped to finally begin the journey, but life had other plans. That year I was preparing for and participating in a church mission trip to Vietnam. The experience was deeply meaningful and life changing, but it meant postponing Confirmation once more.
By the time I saw the church bulletin announcement again this year, something inside me knew it was finally time.
I signed up.
Yet the question of a sponsor remained.
I searched and asked around but found no suitable candidate. Eventually, I became discouraged and was close to giving up altogether. Then, quite unexpectedly, an old family friend came to mind.
Uncle Alan.
He has been part of my family’s life long before I was even born. He is not related by blood, but he is very much family. Gathering my courage, I sent him a message and asked if he would consider being my sponsor.
Without hesitation, he said yes.
Not only did he agree, but he immediately began gathering the necessary documents and certificates for registration. His enthusiasm touched me deeply. It felt as though he had been waiting for the opportunity.
Then I discovered something remarkable.
Uncle Alan had been baptized almost seventy years ago in the very same church where I would receive my Sacrament of Confirmation.
At that moment, I knew this was not a coincidence.
It was God’s plan.
I am incredibly grateful to Uncle Alan for standing beside me on this important day and for being part of such a significant milestone in my faith journey. He has truly been chosen family, and his willingness to walk this journey with me is something I will always treasure.
I am equally grateful for Martin, who coordinated and guided our Confirmation group. From the very beginning in 2024, he encouraged me, supported me, and helped me navigate every step of the process. His kindness and dedication were a tremendous blessing.
The catechism classes themselves were another blessing. Far from being something I dreaded as a teenager, I found myself looking forward to each session. They deepened my understanding of the faith and renewed my relationship with God. They challenged me to reflect on what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ and reminded me that faith is not simply something we inherit, but something we choose to live each day.
One particularly memorable moment came during the rehearsal before the Confirmation Mass. To my surprise, I ran into three former schoolmates. Their children were among the teenagers preparing to receive Confirmation. When they first saw me, they assumed I was there as a sponsor or godparent. Their surprise quickly turned into joy when they discovered that I was actually one of the five adults receiving the sacrament myself. We laughed together, and it became another reminder that God writes stories far better than we ever could.
Then the long awaited day arrived.
Dressed in white, I entered the church filled with gratitude, anticipation, and emotion. At first, I felt slightly embarrassed knowing that I would be walking down the aisle alongside the teenage confirmands. I was undoubtedly one of the oldest candidates present.
Yet as I walked down that aisle, something changed. I saw the smiles of the congregation. I felt their encouragement and support. I saw people celebrating not only the young confirmands but every person answering God’s call, regardless of age. As I walked, I fought back tears.
When I reached my seat, I looked behind me and saw my family. My mother was there, and her face radiated joy. In that moment, I thought about all the years that had passed, all the prayers she had undoubtedly offered for me, and all the grace that had brought us to this day.
Ed and my children were there as well. Although they are not Catholics, they came because they knew how important this day was to me. Their presence reminded me that love and support transcend denominational boundaries. Seeing them there filled my heart with gratitude.
The Mass itself was beautiful and deeply moving. It was celebrated by Father Shaun and His Eminence Cardinal William Goh. Throughout the liturgy, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and belonging. One Scripture passage particularly resonated with me: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” These words capture the very essence of Confirmation.
The word Confirmation means strengthening. Through this sacrament, the Holy Spirit comes to strengthen the gifts first received at Baptism and bring them to maturity. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, a person is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthened for service to the Body of Christ, the Church.
Confirmation is not simply a personal milestone. It is a call to action. It is often described as the sacrament of social action because it sends us out into the world to live and proclaim the Gospel. The strengthening and maturity we receive are not meant solely for our own benefit. Rather, the gifts we receive are intended to help us contribute actively and creatively to the Church and to the world around us.
As I reflected on this, I began thinking about how I hope to respond to that call. I want to become more involved in the mission of Christ. I want to serve where I am needed, participate in ministries, perform acts of charity, visit the sick, help the poor, and support the vulnerable. I want to be generous, compassionate, and caring. I want my life to be a witness to God’s love. I want to share my faith when opportunities arise, support the Church’s call for social justice, defend the dignity of every human person, and continue growing in prayer and sacramental life.
The history of Confirmation itself is rich and beautiful. The laying on of hands is recognized by Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament, perpetuating in a certain way the grace of Pentecost within the Church. By the second century, Confirmation was also conferred through anointing with holy oil known as Sacred Chrism. This anointing connects us to Christ Himself. The word “Christian” means “anointed one,” deriving from Christ, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit.
During Confirmation, the bishop lays hands upon the confirmands, invoking the fullness of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Through this action, we are strengthened for ministry, renewed in our commitment to Christ and His Church, and equipped to bear witness to the faith. The anointing with Sacred Chrism is particularly meaningful. As the bishop anoints the forehead, he says, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” That seal is permanent. It signifies that we belong to Christ, that we are chosen by God, and that we have a purpose within His plan.
Chrism itself carries profound symbolism. Consecrated by the bishop during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, it is made from olive oil and balsam. The fragrance of balsam symbolizes the sweetness and beauty of holiness. Olive oil symbolizes life, endurance, healing, and peace. Olive trees survive storms, droughts, and the passing of generations. In many ways, they mirror our own spiritual journeys.
As Christians, we are called not merely to acknowledge the Holy Spirit but to develop a relationship with Him. For me, the Holy Spirit means God’s constant presence in my life. In moments of fear, grief, uncertainty, and struggle, He brings comfort, wisdom, peace, and strength. He reminds me that I am never alone.
The Holy Spirit bestows seven gifts: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. These gifts are strengthened and sealed within us at Confirmation. Unlike material gifts, they never go out of style. They do not break, spoil, tarnish, or need replacing. They remain with us throughout our lives. Our responsibility is to use them well.
As I reflect on my own life, I believe I have been using these gifts by encouraging others, listening with compassion, serving where help is needed, and sharing hope through my writing and actions. During difficult seasons, I have tried to choose patience, wisdom, kindness, and faith, allowing God to work through me.
Have I always done this perfectly? Certainly not. But I believe the Holy Spirit has continually guided me back to God and helped me remain faithful to the mission He has placed before me. Moving forward, I want to intentionally invite the Holy Spirit into my daily life. I want His wisdom to guide my decisions, His courage to strengthen me, and His love to transform my heart.
Among the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, and self control, the one I most desire to grow in is patience. I often want answers immediately. I want healing quickly. I want circumstances to change overnight. Yet God continues teaching me to trust His timing. I pray for a calmer heart, gentler responses, and the grace to wait faithfully.
Ultimately, I pray that the Holy Spirit will transform my life so that I may bear fruit and give witness to Christ.
Before ending, I want to share two moments from Cardinal William Goh’s homily that stayed with me. The first was when he spoke about people being forced into faith practices. I smiled because it reminded me of my own journey. Thirty one years late by conventional standards, perhaps, but I was there entirely of my own choosing. No one forced me. No one pressured me. I came because I wanted to be there.
The second was when he spoke about reaching a stage of faith where what others say about you can no longer truly hurt you because your identity is rooted in God. Those words resonated deeply with me. After everything life has taught me, I believe I have finally reached that place. Not perfectly, but sincerely. A place where my worth is no longer determined by the opinions of others but by God’s love.
And for that, I am profoundly grateful.
Thirty one years later, I finally received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Not late. Not behind. Exactly when God intended. And what a beautiful gift it has been.
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