Twelve Marian University students received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Easter Sunday, April 20, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Indianapolis.
Confirmation, one of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church, along with Baptism and First Communion, is a significant milestone in a Catholic’s spiritual journey. The students were confirmed by Fr. Rick and the deacon at St. Michael’s.
Among those confirmed was Marian student Hugo Vasquez, who shared how his faith has deepened during his time at the university.
“Since I came to Marian, the Franciscan values and the Catholic community on campus have brought me closer to God,” said Hugo
. “I took this step to be as close to God as I can after being surrounded by an incredible faith-filled community.”
Reflecting on the experience of being confirmed on Easter Sunday, he added, “It felt surreal. To have become one with Jesus after being confirmed on the day he rose again made me feel as though I am now carrying his mission with me.”
According to Hugo, there was a lot of preparation for the sacrament, which involved weekly meetings where students discussed different faith topics, listened to guest speakers, and attended Awake nights on campus.
“I was surrounded by others who are going through college alongside me and receiving the sacraments. It made me feel less alone and more confident in my decision to get confirmed. The experience alongside my peers made the moment feel all the more special.” Hugo said when asked why it was important to be confirmed in a university setting.
He credits Marian for nurturing his faith.
“I have been able to surround myself with people who have encouraged me to get involved in my faith once again,” he said. “The accessibility of Mass and the chapels on campus has helped me stay active in practicing my Catholic faith and values.”