Confirmation in Gormanston

A rare occasion in Gormanston but one of great joy and pride is the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Under the guidance of our rector Fr Ulic Troy, eight senior students were confirmed on Thursday last by Bishop Fiachra O’Ceallaigh, the only Franciscan Bishop in Ireland. The ceremony took place in the private oratory of the Franciscan Community in the castle connected to the College. The students have been preparing by attending confirmation lessons with Fr Ulic since before Christmas. The group being confirmed composed of 5th and 6th year students from Spain, Germany and Austria. It is traditional in these countries for young people to be confirmed at 16 plus. Gormanston College was honoured to provide the facilities and opportunity for such a service.

It was particularly fitting that Bishop Fiachra (Emeritus) was available to perform the ceremony. The Bishop was ordained a priest of 2 July 1961. He was appointed as an Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin and at the same time by Pope John Paul II on 7 June 1994 at the age of 61. Prior to his appointment as bishop, he had been provincial of the Franciscan Order in Ireland and was the first Franciscan to become a bishop in Ireland for over 170 years.

After the ceremony, the students, Fr Ulic, Bishop Fiachra and the sponsors had a celebratory meal in Whytes of Stamullen.

Congratulations to the students – (pictured below) Alejo, Jaime, Jaime, Javier, Gabriel, Mario, Philipp, Pablo on this great milestone in their lives. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them now and always. Many thanks to Bishop Fiachra for the lovely ceremony and to Fr Ulic for the preparation involved.

 

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