My dear family in Christ,

Last weekend in my Sunday homily at the Cathedral I noted that this is the time of the Easter season when the Church invites us to look forward towards the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Rather than focusing solely on the Resurrection of Christ, we now anticipate the coming of the Paraclete and the “birthday” of the Church.  We are invited to allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen and deepen our relationship with Christ and help us to become authentic witnesses to Christ in the world.

This invitation has been playing out around the diocese as I have been on the Confirmation tour, celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with hundreds of young people in all parts of the state.  In my Confirmation homily, I have asked the students to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as they discern how they are being called to live out their baptismal vocation to be holy.  In particular, to seek the guidance on whether they are called to marriage, consecrated life, or, for the young men, the priesthood.  It has been a joy to be with the students and their families.

Another particular grace in celebrating Confirmation is to discover the patron saints the students have chosen for their “confirmation names.” So often, the names chosen reveal a part of the students’ lives and offer an insight into what brings them joy.  It is also interesting to note that some saints are always represented:

Sebastian: Patron of Athletes (I often ask the students what sports they play)

Hubert: Patron of Hunters (I ask them to be safe in the hunting seasons)

Francis of Assisi: The students who have a passion for animals or the outdoors

This year some of my favorite lesser-known saints chosen this year:

Christina the Astonishing: She came back to life during her own funeral.

Pelagia of Antioch: Martyr and Patroness of Actors

Dymphna: Martyr and Patroness of those struggling with mental health issues

John of God: Patron of Medical Professionals

All of these and more remind us that we are part of Church that extends through time, from the past to the future. Also, like the saints who have gone before us, if we follow the Holy Spirit’s lead, we can become the saints God wants us to be.  Who knows, maybe someone we know in Vermont will be elevated to the canonized saints of the Church.

May the Holy Spirit inspire our students and all of us in our journeys of faith.

God alone suffices!

+JMcD