The day for the Confirmations at St. Anthony of Padua Oratory in West Orange, New Jersey was fixed for December 1st, 2012. Our Ordinary, His Grace, Archbishop John Myers of Newark graciously accepted the invitation to return to St Anthony's: it reminds him of his own Confirmation, in Peoria, Illinois, in illo tempore!
Candidates were duly prepared, including a mandatory day of recollection preached by Canon Jean Marie Moreau, Rector of the Oratory on Sunday, November 25.
Canon William Avis, the Institute's provincial master of ceremonies, was also present for the ceremony and its preparations.
On Saturday December 1st, the chapel was rapidly filled when His Grace arrived accompanied by his Vice-Chancellor Father Kelly. Following the solemn reception of the Archbishop, His Grace welcomed in his sermon the candidates to the fullness of Christian initiation through the Sacrament they were going to receive. He then imposed the hands and anointed with the holy Chrism the 53 Confirmandi who presented their cards with the Confirmation name of the Saints they pledged to strive to imitate and to pray to for the rest of their lives.
Once the Sacrament was conferred, the substitute for the provincial, Canon Matthew Talarico offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with Pontifical assistance. How fitting it was to sing the votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, knowing the essential role of the Immaculate Conception in the infusion of the Holy Ghost into the souls of the Apostles!
A reception in the Father Paul Wickens' Hall offered the newly confirmed, families and friends the opportunity to meet His Grace, to give personal words of thanks, and to take photos. The Archbishop was pleased to see his coat of arms on a beautiful and desirable Confirmation cake! How sweet is the Lord! He sent a personal letter to tell how much he appreciated the liturgical ceremony and the fraternal reception, including the gift of a basket of good wine (which rejoices the heart of man, as says the Holy Ghost in the Holy Scripture!).
Truly the visit of His Grace was a great honor and blessing for the Institute of Christ the King. Saturday December 1st will certainly remain a milestone in the history of the development of the community of St Anthony of Padua Oratory. May the fire of divine Love continue to enkindle our hearts, the spiritual wind of the Holy Ghost stop the disastrous hurricanes (Sandy was not too far off!) and the good odor of Jesus-Christ spread and attract our eternal youth to our holy Catholic Church.
Thank You , Your Grace! Thank You dear families and friends! Merry Christmas and God bless you!