OCJC Celebrates as Forty Students Receive Confirmation
On Thursday, October 15, the OCJC community witnessed forty of its students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Mauritz Catholic Parish, Obiya Palaro. The Confirmation Mass was celebrated by His Grace Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, MCCJ, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu.
Also in attendance was Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama, alongside eight priests, a deacon, a religious brother, religious sisters, catechists, and numerous faithful from across the archdiocese.
The gathering brought together faithful who served in various capacities, including ushers and choir members, among others. Ocer contributed ten students who served as Mass servers during the celebration.
The forty students presented by Ocer for Confirmation had followed the Church’s usual preparation process: instruction classes, an examination, and, finally, the sacrament itself. Under the guidance of the Campus Ministry, the candidates faithfully attended their instruction classes and prepared for the examination. Needless to say, all forty passed, with no reported incidents of examination malpractice.
Among those confirmed was Akello Mariah Fortunate, who marked the occasion by composing a poem—the Ultimate Day—celebrating this significant milestone in her faith journey. Her poem appears below.
The Ultimate Day
Long were the days of training,
Interviews that sent shivers all over my body,
“Guys, we have instruction classes!”
Now come the days of perfection,
Moral obedience and religious obedience,
Bestowed upon us.
All in a smudge of Chrism,
And a pat of holiness,
To my right,
Initiated by a tremendous leader, His Grace.
A new sight,
New faces with ambition,
With the same reason as mine.
I felt bliss,
But also a chill,
Screaming in excitement,
Happy feast day of St. Mauritz!
The ultimate day.
As these newly confirmed members of the Church embark on the next stage of their faith journey, we pray that they may burn with zeal to promote and defend the Faith through their daily lives.
