CONFIRMED!

     Yesterday was such a long and exhausting day for me. But fruitful enough to complain all about fatigue. Why? Well, I'll tell you, just bear with your eyes open so that you can read the details of it..hehehe. 
     
     Basically, as a Catholic Christian, it is our religious tradition to undergo different sacraments as a requirement of being a full member our religious congregation. 
     
     Before I'll proceed with my story, let me orient you with the different sacraments we have in our Catholic faith. Actually, we have seven (7) of them and here it goes;

1. BAPTISM - For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

2. EUCHARIST - Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God. 

3. RECONCILIATION - The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness; as a result we are called to forgive others









4. CONFIRMATION - Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

5. MARRIAGE - For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.

6. HOLY ORDERS - In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

7. ANOINTING OF THE SICK - The Catholic Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.




     My story is a bit funny. For others, some would think, "Why just now?" It should have been done way back during my teen-days. Days like that of grade school years. But, there are things in life that happens against the way we wanted. It's the course of nature sometimes. Or I guess it's more fitting if I'd say it's part of God's plan for me. I don't want to go back whining and blame my parents why this had happened. I am sure whatever reason they have way back is reasonable enough.


     I am talking about my "Confirmation". Yes, it's clear....my confirmation. It just happened yesterday (Friday of 23rd of September 2011). Never did I imagined that due to one unexplained (but the real reason is | forgot) incident during my teenage days that's why it happened the way it did. And never in my wildest fancy that I'll be receiving the said sacrament in a place where doing such is a discreet thing. 


     Pardon me guys, I won't throw away details of it for security reason. Plus having the feeling of not being able to share you some photos together with the bishop who conducted it to me is so frustrating - I have photos of him though as he willingly let us do some photo opportunity with him. He's such a nice man - very fond of cracking light humor yet so funny when he throws it out. He is an Italian bishop specifically from Venice, Italy. He told me that he had been to our country - Pinas in Surigao in particular.  And last Friday he visited our silent and private religious sanctuary for a very important mission. Many had been so envious yet excited and happy because I am the first one who received the sacrament under him just in time when he officially declared "your church is erected on this day" as an official parish. The very first in this part of the world. He was commissioned by the Vatican to do the honor of "officially erecting the church" from where I am located now. That day marked a "history" in my life. Instead of having the feeling of awkwardness since I'm old enough to be given such sacrament but it turned out that many including other nationalities extended a message of congratulations to me. Such a touchy-feely moment...hehehe!


     I'm really battling with the idea of whether to post or not to post photos of us. It's just because I am so proud to have been able to brush-off shoulder with him, engaged in a light convy--and also the first time to see a bishop in person. That day, too, was a testament of congesting influx of parishioners. As I glanced my eyes around, I can see that the place has been so crowded, some where really finding their way to squeeze in just to earn a seat in the venue. I'm with my fiancee, my confirmation sponsors, and with some of my community friends.


     OK, I have high respect to the reason of security measures and high confidentiality of the place. So, I decided not to post anything that would literally put our silent religious sanctuary in danger and the very lives of the priest and bishop who conducts mass inside it. Now, if you're really filled with overflowing curiousity, feel free to send me a request and I'll let you view photos of us privately.


     By the way, part of the reason why I was forced to undergo "urgent confirmation" is that I am going to tie the knot this year. If not for the wedding requirement, I would still have been ignoring this important part of being a Catholic up to this time. Funny right?, hehehe..but that's life. As they say, things happen for a reason. 


     This is all for today, I have nothing to add plus it's too lengthy already. So guys, have a nice read. Godbless everyone. Until my next entry.