On the evening of Friday 12th May 2023, Bishop Declan visited the Abbey Church for the annual Confirmation Mass.
Congratulations to Jaime, Finlay, Sofia, Livia, Fynnian, Louis, Oscar, Fiona, Somtochi, Florence, Orson, Boudica, Alvaro, Eliza, Gabriella, Valentine, Yvo, Tristan, Emma, Conrad, Inigo, Phoebe-Aurelian, Emma, Jessica, Rupert, Lucy, Scarlett and Jocccoaa who were all recently confirmed.
28 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation surrounded by friends, family and members of the school community. They had been preparing themselves for months to experience their own mini-Pentecost and to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps the most moving moment was when Bishop Declan moved into the congregation to lay hands on each candidate, with the Schola Cantorum leading the congregation to sing Christopher Walker’s Veni Sancte Spiritus – Come Holy Spirit.
In his homily, standing before the altar and speaking directly to the candidates, The Bishop likened confirmation to the consecration and call to service of King Charles III the Saturday before.
As Pentecost approaches, we pray that God will pour out again the gift of our Confirmation on us all, so that we can better love and serve.
