St. Anthony of Padua, Pray for us!
"Confirmation is not a duplicate ceremony of Baptism; but they are related. People see how Baptism and Confirmation are related but often don’t appreciate how very different they are. In both, you receive the Holy Spirit; in both, you receive a new name. How, then, are they distinguishable?
Actually, Baptism and Confirmation are so different that we might be tempted think they are polar opposites. But they are opposites only in the sense that they are opposite sides of the same coin, that is to say: they lean on and support each other mutually.
In Christianity, differences are complementary, not competitive.
In Baptism, you are called. In Confirmation, you are sent. The opposite.
In Baptism, you are called to follow. In Confirmation, you are sent to lead. Opposites.
The gift, in baptism, is given for you – you are consecrated, set-apart for God: made holy.
The gift, in Confirmation, is given for others – you are commissioned, to lead others into holiness.
In short, Baptism is the sacrament of your discipleship: and every good disciple needs a discipline of life. That is what we have been forming you in, all these years.
But now, in Confirmation, you receive the sacrament which makes you an apostle (a Greek word, which means “one who is sent”) – and every good apostle needs an apostolate.
An apostolate is your job in the Church (like being a priest or a nun or a husband or wife).
You are reaching the age where your Mother the Church tells you to go out and get yourself a job!
This means that the next stage of your life is to focus on vocation or what this apostolate will be.
The Holy Spirit is given to you to ready you to hear God’s call and to go where He sends you."
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