My Journey to Confirmation

Joy, that’s how I felt the day of my confirmation. A journey that began almost seven years ago would finally conclude on the 16th of April 2022. With my family present and all the friends I had made in recent months, it was indeed a day to give thanks. In the Spring of 2016, my peers in secondary school were getting confirmed, and I wasn’t a part of the ceremony, but I’m glad I didn’t participate because I was not yet ready to receive the Holy Spirit. Yes, I knew, and God knew it too. The Sacrament of Confirmation is precisely what it says—it confirms our Catholic faith! Through this, we become full members of the church. Isn’t that amazing? To become partakers of heaven here on earth is what the church is.
At 15, I wouldn’t really have understood the gravity of what that meant. Even now, I won’t say I understand it thoroughly, for it is a sacrament and a mystery. But I know I have a full appreciation for the Holy Spirit and have a good sense of His presence in my life. My confirmation saint is Saint Monica, mother of St. Augustine of Hippo (the famous 5th cent. African bishop). Many people know of her, but I truly came to know her in the months leading up to my confirmation. She had a big heart and a preserving spirit. She helped me see the joy in my own suffering and how the joy after persevering outweighs whatever heartaches we have encountered. She ultimately helped me see the heart of the Father. One who never leaves us without His mercy. The Father who continues to love us and chase after our hearts. In moments where I wanted to give up on people, projects, or myself. Through St. Monica, the Lord showed me what it means to remain steadfast and wait patiently. Because we live in a fallen world, we will sin. But when we sin, let us come to the God, the Divine Healer—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who can heal us.
My journey would not be complete without my various Catholic communities, who helped me prepare in many ways for this glorious day. In many ways, the Catholic community at Howard University is like the early Church. Few in numbers but great in spirit. We have embodied the calling of true discipleship and carried out this vocation with the help of our Chaplin and campus ministers. Although the work is just beginning, we know we only need to bring the bread and fish, and God will multiply.

In God’s Loving Mercy,
Stephanie Okafor
St. Monica, pray for us!