The Book of the Acts of the Apostles tells us that after His resurrection, Jesus remained with his disciples for forty days "speaking about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). I wish I had been around for that teaching! Then, Jesus promised that the disciples would "be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:4). The second chapter of Acts describes the day of Pentecost, when the disciples and Mary were all together, "and suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability" (Acts 2:1-4). It is this miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit that we celebrate with the Sacrament of Confirmation.
After the After Baptism and First Holy Communion, Confirmation is the third of the sacraments of initiation. With Confirmation, the young person takes the step of accepting responsibility for his or her own Catholic faith and practice. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, Who empowers us to courageously practice our faith, bearing the fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23); and manifesting the gifts of the Holy Spirit--wisdom, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, understanding, piety, and fear of the Lord (I Cor. 12:7-11).
These rosaries are designed to commemorate this step in the sacramental life of the confirmand.
The young lady's version features Ave beads of Swarovski pearls in Light Creamrose, accented by Swarovski clear crystals. The Pater beads are rose-colored crystal butterflies, evocative of the new life that springs within from the Holy Spirit, accented by Swarovski crystals in Aurora Borealis, symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit.
The young man's version features Ave beads of Swarovski pearls in dark grey, accented by smaller Swarovski pearls in light creamrose. The Pater beads are genuine aquamarine accented by Swarovski crystals in aurora borealis, symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit. (Please note that natural semiprecious stones contain natural variations in color, markings, shading, and inclusions.)
The rosary features an Italian-made centerpiece representing the Holy Spirit as a dove on one side. On the other side are listed the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit--Wisdom, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Understanding, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. The crucifix is silver oxidized, made in Italy.
Confirmation
Each rosary comes beautifully packaged in a box with a ribbon. Included are a prayer card and instructions for praying the Holy Rosary and the Divine Mercy.
This rosary is approximately 19" long from the bottom of the crucifix to the top of the rosary loop. It weighs approximately 2 oz.
The Ave beads are 8mm Swarovski pearls in Light Creamrose or Dark Grey.
The Pater beads are 10mm rose crystal butterflies or 10mm genuine aquamarine. (Please note that natural semiprecious stones contain natural variations in color, markings, shading, and inclusions.)
The spacer beads are 3mm Swarovski crystals in Crystal Aurora Borealis, or 3mm Swarovski pearls in Light Creamrose.
The accent beads are 4mm Swarovski crystals in Crystal Aurora Borealis.
The crucifix and centerpiece are made in Italy.