March 6, 2024

Rector’s eNews 08 – 6 March 2024

/ Uncategorized

One of the life-changing events for many boys at Michaelhouse is baptism which, in the Anglican Church, is often followed by Confirmation. Infants or young children are generally baptised in their home churches, but for those who have not been baptised, as a Christian school, we welcome boys into the body of the church through the sacrament of baptism. During the ceremony of baptism in the Anglican Church, young people, after their spiritual preparation, have water sprinkled or poured on them and the sign of the Cross is made on their forehead. Alternatively, they may be partially or fully immersed in water whereafter, once again, the sign of the Cross is imprinted on them.

Prior to this year, our School Chaplain usually baptised boys in the Chapel in the first of these ways. More recently, including this year, boys have appeared in running shorts at the training pool and the Chaplain, having blessed the water in the pool and helped by Mr Visagie, has fully immersed the boys one at a time. Certainly none of the large number of boys baptised on Sunday evening could forget that he had been baptised!

For those who are baptised as young children, parents and godparents make promises on their behalf to follow Christ. Later on, at Confirmation, boys confirm their baptismal vows for themselves. They state that they will live as fully active members of the Church, witnessing to Christ and serving others. Confirmands are, in this way, strengthened and equipped to fulfil their Christian calling when the Bishop lays hands on them and they receive the Holy Spirit. The service of Confirmation is led annually at Michaelhouse by the Bishop of Natal, the Right Reverand Nkosinathi Ndandwe who anoints each confirmand with a special oil and makes the sign of the Cross of the forehead of each boy. Simultaneously he prays to God to fill and empower each boy to remain faithful to Him throughout his life.

The ceremony of Confirmation is very important to a large number of our families and parents, godparents and family members are invited to be present in support of the boys. They generally come up with each boy who kneels before the Bishop and place their hands on his shoulders as an indication of their support. Should families or godparents not be able to be present, then Housemasters and other staff members stand in for them and offer similar support. Please do liaise with Housemasters, tutors and others if you wish staff members to support your son in circumstances where you are not able to be present to do so. The service of Confirmation is this Friday (8 March) at 4.30pm. We trust that it will be a meaningful event for those of our boys who are being confirmed.

 

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