My Book for April is the new Anglican Pastoral Publication from Redemptorist entitled Your Confirmation, (A Journey of Questions and Answers).
In A4 Booklet Form, the cover is bright and attractive. The Contents Page gives more detail than is usual, encouraging the candidate to look further. For example, in "Welcome to the Club" the explanation is given: -
"Confirmation is a time to stand on your own and say what you believe. But like joining a club or making the team, there are some things you need to learn and do before you become a full member of the church."
Other headings include: - "Why do I Need the Holy Spirit?" "Why All the Classes?" and "What's to Learn?"
Returning to "Welcome to the Club", a parallel is drawn between wanting to join a Club, entailing going to meetings, learning the history, having a sponsor to help, and being presented to the Church by parents and Godparents (Baptismal Sponsors), learning the lifestyle of the Church, attending with family and hearing the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. In fact, learning what it means to be a Christian, a member of the Club.
"Standing On Your Own" explains that according to the Church, the "age of reason" has been reached and that with this sacrament, full membership of the Church is obtained. The vital factor being that full membership is reached because that is what the candidate himself / herself chooses to do.
Written in a bright, direct style and aimed mainly at teenagers and young adults, the difficult questions are not side-stepped. "If it is my decision, why are my parents making me go?" is handled sensitively, drawing on the marriage vows as part of the commitment.
"Christian Behaviour, Following the Example and Teaching of Jesus Christ" commences with Matthew 22 verses 37 to 40 and cites the Ten Commandments from which the two basic principles are derived:
1) Loving God
2) Loving our Neighbour
More questions are raised and answered and the Celebration of Confirmation together with Chrism and Anointing is explained.
The final section is interesting but relevant: ˜ "Okay, it's over, what Now?" looks at what some teenagers have to say about how they have been changed since Confirmation.
I liked the prayer included in this section which I offer especially to and for our Confirmation Candidates and indeed for all of us: -
Dear God,
Thank you for the great gift you have given me in the
Sacrament of Confirmation.
Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit into my
life to offer me guidance and help.
I ask for that guidance now, Lord.
I
need to know where I fit into this Church of yours.
What am I to do? What do
I have to offer? Where am I to serve?
I have so many questions.
Be with
me on my journey of faith, Lord.
Give me patience to wait for your
answers.
Give me an open heart to hear you when you respond.
Give me your
love and forgiveness, for I know I will make mistakes along the way.
Amen.
Your Confirmation. £1.95.
Book Corner written by Lynn Winter
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page last updated 30 MARCH 1997