On May 14th, the St. Matthias Apostle’s feast, bishop Robert Chrząszcz administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to eleven candidates who in the last year have been prepared in groups led by us. Four of them were a part of an English-speaking group.
The liturgy took place on a Friday afternoon in the Dominican basilica of Holy Trinity. It was led by bishop Robert Chrząszcz who very recently became an auxiliary bishop in Krakow. He was consecrated on February 6th, 2021. On the day of the liturgy he celebrated the 27th anniversary of his priesthood ordination. From 2005 to the day he received an episcopal nomination from Pope Francis he worked as a parish priest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and recently also as an episcopal vicar of Jacarepaguá.
In a homily the bishop referred to the reading that described the election of St. Matthias, who was drawn to join the group of Apostles after Judas had decided to choose his own path. Holy Spirit accompanies us in our whole life, ready to lead us to our destination even if for some time we are walking our own path in a different direction.
The bishop addressed the candidates stressing that the confirmation they were about to receive is a preparation to become a witness even unto death and a sign of being ready to sacrifice their life. It’s not a crowning but the beginning of full life. In order to show the truth about love, the bishop referred to the picture of a mother in labor, who forgets about the pain that is inevitable but also rewarded and fulfilled with joy that comes from a childbirth.
The Eucharist was concelebrated by fathers from the Dominican Liturgical Center who were responsible for this year’s preparation course: Fr. Wojciech Sznyk OP, responsible for the Polish-speaking group, and DLC’s President, Fr. Łukasz Miśko OP, responsible for the English-speaking group, and also Fr. Oleksandr Orikhovsky OP. A reading, a psalm and a prayer of the faithful were led by catechists’ representatives – lay people, co-responsible for candidates’ formation. There was a choir, spontaneously formed by volunteers who are DLC’s friends. Members of the Krakow Archdiocese Liturgical Diaconia and others served at the altar. We thank all of you for your commitment!
For many years at the Dominican basilica in Krakow the Dominican Liturgical Center has been preparing adults to receive sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. Confirmation, which is usually received at Vigil of Pentecost, traditionally finishes the year-long formation of all groups, also of neophytes who received Baptism on Easter. Next group will start their preparation in October (for the whole month of September there will be a possibility to sign up for one of the groups).
