The Confirmation Experience
Posted on | April 21, 2006
by | Kim, Obl.O.S.B
I suppose that a good lot of three people may be waiting for a write-up on Confirmation. After having almost an entire week to reflect back, I’m still at a loss for words. And those who know me, that takes a lot.
I don’t really want to give a play by play, because it really doesn’t do it any justice. The pictures speak volumes more than I can write.
So, leaving the Vigil in my head; I suppose I can talk about the experience as well, an experience. It has definitely been a long time coming. There have been a lot of ups and downs, and even more in the learning and understanding process. The entire process, in addition to changing me has also changed some of the family dynamics. In terms of my parents, me becoming Catholic shows them that it’s not some evil cult – they know me, and they know I don’t do things like that. It provides them an outlet to get the REAL Catholic church teaching, not what someone wants or thinks the Church teaches. I’m sure as time marches on that I’ll see more of a shift in the family dynamics. Catholic-bashing cannot happen in the house, because then they’re bashing me.
As for me, there’s things in me that obviously have changed. Perhaps it’s one part growing up, but there’s a lot less frantic-ness in my life. Not to mention less anxiety. I still have feelings and emotions, I still sin and I still have ups and downs. I’m not on some high all the time (as nice as that would be). But, there is still a lot more rest in my soul than has ever existed. Heck, even how I walk has changed since the Vigil. As one may start to pick up, growing up I had huge self esteem problems and still am working them out. I think that Confirmation was probably the finishing up of that process. Funny how that works out?
Theologically, I know what I believe in and understand why it’s there, where it comes from, and whatnot. I do not feel like a push-button Catechism machine, but rather if someone has a question I can answer it; not by quoting the CCC or playing Bible verse tennis, but rather through an actual human to human response. I’ve had a hard time shutting my face about Confirmation, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing. It keeps it fresh in my mind and heart, and it perhaps can prompt other people to do some looking. I’ve noticed that people just want to be happy. And honestly, I’ve yet to really find anything that can consistently make me happy like Catholicism.
So hopefully, I can continue to ooze happiness and lead more by example than words.
Comments
One Response to “The Confirmation Experience”
Associations
April 27th, 2006 @ 4:20 pm
I’m still so happy for you, Kim. I am preparing to become a priest in a few years, and I realize that the day I became Catholic was the most important day in my life. That day was the day I set forth on the path to fulfilling my vocation and God’s will in my life. I am a sinner and in need of Confession just like everyone, but I trust in God’s mercy.
I hope that your family becomes more accepting of the Church now. Just keep shinning. Let the light of Christ and the splendor of the Holy Spirit in you shine forth in the darkness and I am confident that many people in life will convert to the faith because of you. You are special in God’s eyes. He is certainly blessing you, and He always will.