Celebrating Confirmation 2026
Confirmation Video Text for 2026
Confirmation season is a time that I look forward to very much and thoroughly enjoy. Having the privilege to be celebrant of such a special ceremony in the lives of so many students across the diocese from Loop Head to the Slieve Blooms is indeed a great privilege along with being a time of joy and grace for me.
With this video I praise and congratulate you on your ongoing preparation. I hear great reports of the work you are doing! Preparation and hard work is key to the success in anything and that is very much the case in making Confirmation meaningful, sacred and special. The work you do in school in the “Grow in Love” Programme along with enrolment and the parish preparation events and of course at home with your family are key.
Letters
Along with that important work, every year I invite all who are to be confirmed to write to me here in Ennis. I love getting the letters and enjoy reading each and every one. I generally try and pick out one or two things that were special in the letters when it comes to each particular ceremony.
In the letters I ask you to tell me a few things about yourself. What are your talents, interests and hobbies? Then getting down to the serious business – I ask you to tell me why you want to be Confirmed? What does it mean for you to receive the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit?
Theme of Cinéaltas
Every year, along with the obvious gifts and fruits of the Spirit I like to have a specific theme. This year it is around the beautiful Irish word “Cinéaltas”. “Bí Cinéalta”, “Be Kind” is very much a buzz word you are used to hearing around the school this year as part of the new national anti-bullying policy. I love the richness of that word “Cinéaltas”. I ask you to reflect, in your letter on how you might radiate that “Cinéaltas” as a Confirmation student, using the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit?
The Example of Carlo Acutis – Model of “Cinéaltas”
As a help and as a concrete example, I am proposing a recently canonized saint called Carlo Acutis to help give you a few ideas. He was just a young teenager when he sadly died of cancer. He was very gifted at computers, loved his fashion, jeans, sweatshirts and runners, but he also had a strong faith. As a result of his deep relationship with Jesus and his love of the Mass and the Sacraments he tried to be kind to all he met, those around him in school, at home and poor people he met on the street. What a great project it is to explore “Cinéaltas” in the life of Carlo and in turn how you might show that in your life with the fruits and gifts of the spirit.
I so look forward to reading your letters, the fruit of you creativity, thought and personal reflection.
The Pledge
There is one other important thing I want to mention and that is the pledge. There is a growing awareness at national level that addiction and dependence on various substances, drink, drugs, cigarettes, vapes etc is affecting the lives of many young people. I would very much like if you might have a discussion about this in school and with your parents at home. A discussion about making good choices and about the importance of being healthy and well and appreciate the life God has generously given you. If you and your parents then feel ready – I propose that you might take the pledge, either in advance or on the day of Confirmation. The pledge is to abstain until you are at least 18 from any substance that might be harmful to your health. You may be able to do this on your own steam and well done if you are. However, taking a pledge gives you that extra help as it gives you that extra edge in having God help you and encourage you also.
I so look forward to receiving your letters and meeting you on the big day. In the meantime “Bí Cinéalta” and I can’t wait to hear your plans for allowing the fruits and gifts of the spirit to let “Cinéaltas” be a key part of your life as a result of your Confirmation in 2026.