Rt. Rev. Jackson Murugara, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Meru, visited Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) for a special pastoral mission that culminated in the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to Catholic students at St. Teresa of Avila Chapel.

The event brought together members of the university management, staff, and students, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Simon Thuranira, and the ASA Registrar, Dr. Karanja.

The Sacrament of Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a vital rite of initiation in the Catholic Church, through which baptized Christians are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This sacrament strengthens believers for service to the Body of Christ and empowers them to boldly witness the Gospel in their daily lives.

It is regarded as the perfection of baptismal grace, deepening the recipient’s identity as a child of God, uniting them more firmly with Christ, and enriching them with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Essential Elements of the Rite

The celebration of Confirmation includes several significant elements:

Laying on of Hands: The Bishop extends his hands over the candidates, invoking the Holy Spirit as a sign of divine grace descending upon them.

Anointing with Sacred Chrism: Each candidate is anointed on the forehead with chrism oil, accompanied by the sign of the cross.

Meaning of Chrism: The oil symbolizes strength, joy, and spiritual readiness, while balsam represents the “fragrance of Christ” that the faithful are called to share with the world.

The Formula: The Bishop proclaims, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit,” marking the candidate with a permanent spiritual seal of belonging to Christ.

Effects of the Sacrament

Confirmation imparts several spiritual benefits, including:

Strengthening of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

An indelible spiritual mark, signifying lifelong commitment to Christ and His mission.

A deeper union with the Church and increased responsibility to spread and defend the faith.

Spiritual maturity, enabling recipients to grow into committed and active Christians.

Bishop’s Message to Students

In his address, Bishop Murugara emphasized the responsibility of the newly confirmed students to live out an active Christian lifestyle, especially within the university environment.

 

He highlighted the various challenges faced by students, including anxiety, stress, depression, financial pressures, digital addiction, and academic demands. He noted that such struggles can sometimes lead to drug abuse, frustration, loss of hope, and difficulty adapting to independent learning and social environments.

The Bishop encouraged students to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength, guidance, and resilience, urging them to support one another especially those facing challenges and to embody compassion, faith, and service in their daily lives.

The newly confirmed students were encouraged to become ambassadors of hope and faith, positively influencing their peers and contributing meaningfully to society.