“Be of value to the world”: Apostolic Nuncio to Confirmation Candidates at Kenyan Parish

He added, “Once you have been encouraged by that spirit, move out into the world, give something to the world, be of value to the world.”

“Because the world needs you, each and every one of you, each and every one of you has something unique, each and every one of you has talents and capacities in very different fields,” the Apostolic Nuncio told the 34 candidates he was to confer the Sacrament of confirmation.

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He continued, “Develop your qualities, develop your talents, develop those gifts that God has given you in whatever field it is and God will see you; He will stand by you; He will encourage you, and you will find heaven on earth in this sense.”

“The good thing about young people is they are ready to give much and they should give much because if you don't do it now, you won't do it anymore,” Archbishop van Megen said, and added, “Do something for the world, try to be of meaning for the world, try to be of importance for the church, try to be of importance for your community.”

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The representative of the Holy Father in Kenya and South Sudan encouraged the Confirmation candidates to “play a role in society because our culture is a culture of absorption and consumption, but we don't let anything out.”

“But young people have this spirit of wanting to be important, wanting to give to sacrifice, wanting to be heroes, wanting to show that they have value in them; let that fire work for you,” he said, and added, “God expects great things from you; God expects beautiful things from you.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Reflecting on the first reading of the Sunday of the Most Holy Body of Christ, Archbishop van Megen encouraged the candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation to "follow the example of the Israelites entering the promised land in fighting for their faith.” Credit: ACI Africa

“Stand for your faith. We have a strong identity because we have been fed with the bread of life and we have drunk from the cup of the blood of Christ,” he further said, adding that God gives the Sacrament of Confirmation in order that “we grow deeper in that inner knowledge about God.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.