Archbishop confirms students, urges them to discern ‘the gift God gave you’

Archbishop Cordileone confirmed 291 confirmands at St. Mary’s Cathedral May 4, the majority of them eighth graders from 19 parishes and schools. Two-thousand worshippers attended. The archbishop opened his homily by noting the “sadness and maybe fear for some people as we see attacks on houses of worship over and over again.” He noted the beauty of fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which he called “a symbol of all the church has given to the world.” He said the workers on the cathedral in the Middle Ages considered it their gift to God. He said the same spirit motivated the monks who preserved the ancient texts of the classical world and dedicated themselves to research on health care. “It was the Christians who stayed behind to care for the sick,” he said, also noting that science and universities have their roots in the church. The archbishop also urged the students to discern their personal vocation – “the gift God gave you” – which he said works hand-in-hand with their Christian vocation. (Photos by Dennis Callahan/Catholic San Francisco)