More than a hundred young people receive Confirmation at La Inmaculada in Torrevieja

The archpriest church of the Immaculate Conception in Torrevieja hosted a celebration at 8pm on Friday 16 October in which more than a hundred young people received the sacrament of Confirmation. The Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Orihuela-Alicante, José Ignacio Munilla Aguirre.

Almost eighty of the young people being confirmed belonged to Grumetes, the parish’s post-Communion and Confirmation catechesis group.

Preparation within the parish groups

The members of Grumetes had spent the past few years preparing with the support of youth leaders and catechists. During that time, they had shared experiences of fellowship, prayer and education in the faith. The group included around thirty pupils from Torrevieja’s La Purísima school, who also received Confirmation.

Those present at the celebration included the episcopal vicar for the Vega Baja, Aurelio Ferrándiz García; La Inmaculada’s parish priest, José Antonio Gea Ferrández, and assistant parish priest Fernando Galvañ López. Víctor Manuel Fernández, parish priest of Los Gallardos and Bédar, towns in the Diocese of Almería, also took part.

Laying on of hands, anointing and music

The ceremony included the laying on of hands and anointing with Holy Chrism. These were the gestures through which the young people received the sacrament of Confirmation during the Mass. Anointing with Holy Chrism is presented in this celebration as a sign of the fullness of the Holy Spirit and of the confirmation of the faith received at Baptism. Musical accompaniment was provided by the vocal ensemble Sette Voci.

The young people were accompanied by their catechists and the parish community. La Inmaculada’s youth work is organised, among other settings, through Grumetes and Navegantes, groups offering children and teenagers opportunities for friendship, meeting others and learning about the faith.

Following Confirmation, the parish community encourages the young people to continue taking part in the life of the Church and to share further experiences. This invitation maintains the connection with the catechists and youth leaders who supported their preparation, and with the fellowship and educational activities developed within the parish’s youth groups.