29.05.2023
People from Across the Dioceses Gather Together for Pentecost Confirmation
Fifty–three young people and their families came from all over Dublin and Glendalough to be confirmed in Christ Church Cathedral on the Feast of Pentecost (Sunday May 28).
The candidates were drawn from St Catherine’s, Donore Avenue; Narraghmore and Timolin with Castledermot and Kinneagh; Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin, Tallaght; Kill O’ the Grange; Blessington; Santry, Finglas and Glasnevin; Celbridge and Straffan with Newcastle Lyons; and Christ Church Cathedral.
The cathedral was full to capacity for the uplifting service which was celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackson and sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Speaking to the candidates, the Archbishop said he was delighted to welcome them to the cathedral which, he pointed out, was their cathedral as members of the dioceses. He said that while the cathedral building itself was fascinating and inspiring, the candidates were part of a different type of building – building up the body of Christ.
“Confirmation contributes to this building. Confirmation takes place so that the Christian family may be built up,” he explained adding that each could use their individual gifts and talent to build the community of church.
On the day when Christians celebrate Pentecost, when as is written in the Acts of the Apostles, “they were all together in one place” and filled with the Holy Spirit, Archbishop Jackson observed that the candidates and their families were all together in Christ Church Cathedral gathered by the same Spirit of God. He encouraged them to take the spirit of Easter and Pentecost forward as they restated the vows of their baptism.
