Pope at General Audience: English Summary

Dear brothers and sisters: In our continuing catechesis on Confirmation, we now consider some of its effects. The gift of the Holy Spirit, received in the sacrament, enables us in turn to become a gift for others within the communion of the Church. As living members of Christ’s mystical body, we are called to share in the life and mission of the Church both universally and within our local Christian communities. As an eloquent sign of this ecclesial dimension, the sacrament of Confirmation is ordinarily conferred by the diocesan Bishop, who, as a successor of the Apostles, is charged with fostering the Church’s unity through the rich diversity of the Spirit’s gifts. The sign of peace exchanged by the Bishop and the newly confirmed is a reminder that each must work for the upbuilding of the community in faith, love and Christian service. May we who have received this sacrament open our hearts each day to the liberating breath of the Holy Spirit and fan into flame the gifts we have received for the good of one another, the whole Church and the world in which we live.