Henry’s testimony of faith following Confirmation

By Josh Low

There was a sense of joy in the Campbell Town Parish community as four candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation earlier this year, that largest number at the parish in recent history.

Held at St Michael’s Church in Campbell Town on 6 July, the sacrament was conferred by Archbishop Emeritus Julian on the four candidates.

Among those receiving the sacrament was 15-year-old Henry, who shared his testimony and journey of faith.

Growing up on Bruny Island, Henry said faith had not been a part of his childhood, with God never a topic of conversation at home or among friends.

“There was definitely no one around me really talking about God. I wasn’t raised with faith, and for most of my childhood, I didn’t even think about it,” he explained.

“I lived for myself, because that’s what the world teaches you to do. And when you’re a kid just trying to figure things out, it’s easy to believe that’s all there is.”

In his heart however, he carried big questions about life, death and meaning.

“I was always full of questions, about life, about death, about why we’re even here, but I couldn’t find real answers, and without God in my life, that feeling of being lost just grew,” he said.

“I called myself an atheist. But deep down, I was afraid, afraid of dying, afraid of meaninglessness, afraid there was just nothing after this. I didn’t have peace that Christ gives and I was in need of something more, but I didn’t know what.”

At 13, a particularly difficult period sparked a spiritual search. Henry explored Buddhism, Islam and Judaism.

“I always dismissed Christianity, as something we were too smart to believe in, as this is what the media and the people around me had pushed throughout my life.

“But then I truly read the Bible for the first time, and everything changed. All the other religions I looked at were about people trying to reach God, but this was about God reaching us, sacrificing himself for us. Loving us. And I felt peace, like real peace, for the first time in my life. It felt like coming home.”

Following his family’s move to the midlands, Henry began attending Mass, which became a turning point in his journey.

“That’s when I really met Christ, in the Eucharist, in the Mass. Sitting in the pew, looking at the cross, I felt the same peace I felt when I first opened the Bible. And I knew this was where I belonged,” he said.

Henry was baptised in April this year and has been supported in his faith by his godparents and Parish Administrator, Fr Paschal Unyime Okpon.

Henry says his faith has given him an anchor while navigating modern pressures and distractions as a teenager.

“Being a teenager in today’s world isn’t easy. Every day there’s pressure, temptation, distractions, stuff that can pull you away from the life you want to live,” he said.

Despite only being at the beginning of his journey, Henry is certain of one thing.

“I’m grateful that God saw me in my doubt, my fear, my searching and brought me to him anyway.

“I don’t have it all figured out. But I know who I’m walking with now. And I know the kind of life I want to live, with Christ at the centre.”