Rite of passage

The National Weekender
COVER STORY
Mirap Parish in the North Coast of Madang celebrates with young people receiving Confirmation in the church’s Year of Grandparents and the Elderly
Girls from Pepaur congregation in their traditional regalia.

By JAMES G KILA
THE CHURCH ground of Saint Paul’s Mirap Catholic Parish at Kaminkum sits on a beautiful and picturesque uphill location along the North Coast Road in Sumgilbar LLG of Sumkar district, Madang.
The church on Sunday, July 3, 2022 hosted a colourful Eucharistic celebration of the Catholic faithful which saw the main celebrant and Archbishop of the Madang, Anton Bal bless over 300 young parishioners with the sacrament of Confirmation.
These young parishioners came from Saint Paul’s Mirap parish congregations which included Pepaur, Murukanam, Tokain, Malas, Sarang, Dimer and neighboring Mirap and Karkum villages. Those who live far away from the parish centre at Mirap travelled in on trucks and buses to the church area at Kaminkum to witness the occasion and also participate in the Eucharist.
Before the mass the young men and women who would be making their confirmation vows assembled from as far as the parish house toward the grotto in their beautiful attire, some in their traditional regalia while others in their neat and bright church wear. They were obviously proud young Catholics who have come of age and that would be affirmed by the church rite they would shortly undergo.
Parents and family members also turned up in numbers making even the interior of the remarkable octagonal church structure full to the walls. Many had to follow the worship proceedings from outside the church building.

Lucas Kabit standing far left with his grandchildren (left-right) Junior Blassius, Ryan Kabit, Philip Kabit, Philip Kabit, Agnes Kabit, Rex Bobo, Annatai kabit and Ennos Didol. Sitting in front is Eben Igo Inia. – Pictures by JAMES KILA

The Catholic Church liturgical celebration was so colourful. It was rich with symbols of bread and wine, garments and vests, colours, actions such as signs of the cross, bowing and genuflecting, standing and praising and worshiping God in hymns. The liturgy songs were performed by the Murukanam congregation members who sang so nicely in sharp pitch harmonising tone of voices which also roused the emotions of the people present.
Among those proud Catholic faithful was a couple Lucas Kabit and his wife Annatai. They hail from Karkum Number 1 village and are regular church-goers to the Saint Paul’s Church as Kaminkum. However, their pride and joy of the moment on that Sunday, July 3 was just to witness their four grandchildren receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. They were so glad the blessing that their grandchildren received would strengthen and continue their Catholic faith within their family line. Their grandchildren who received the sacrament were Junior Blassius, Ryan, Philip and Agnes.
Their fathers Peter and Jack Kabit along with their mothers also attended. (Peter and Jack are sons of Lucas and Annatai.)
“I am so proud to see my grandchildren receiving the sacrament of Confirmation from Archbishop Anton Bal, Lucas said.
His wife Annatai remarked: “I want my grandchildren to be good citizens in the community and I always want them to be educated in the teachings of the Bible.”
In the changing times when more and more young people are led astray into anti-social behaviour and rebellion against elders, the grandmother’s wish is quite relevant.
The main celebrant of the Eucharist Archbishop Anton Bal emphasised in the homily that young people nowadays must be empowered with Christian values to impact the message of love, sharing and forgiveness through their actions.
The confirmation ceremony of the young men and women witnessed by their families reflected also the importance of family which is the basic unit of a society.
Lucas Kabit said, as grandparents they also have an important contribution to make in the lives of their grandchildren. Both young men and girls need to learn important skills relating to education, work, morality, ethics, marriage and social interaction in their future lives, the grandfather added.
Coincidentally, the participation of the grandparents at the confirmation of these young Catholic faithful also falls in the month of July and has a special significance as the church would be observing the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on the fourth Sunday (July 24). Moreover, according to the Catholic calendar it is closer to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne who are grandparents of Jesus.
According to the Catholic Reporter published earlier this month, this year’s theme for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly emphasises how grandparents and the elderly are a valuable gift to both society at large and ecclesial communities.
Furthermore, the theme is an invitation to reconsider and value grandparents and the elderly who are too often kept on the margins of families, civil and ecclesial communities.
The experience of life and faith of the grandparents and the elderlies can contribute to building societies that are aware of their roots and capable of dreaming a future based on greater solidarity.

  • James Kila writes for Oloboi Media Agency based in Madang.