Gudelia, Confirmation Catechist at Francisco de Vitoria University: “Our greatest desire is that university students encounter Christ, that they have an encounter with his love”

Every year, Francisco de Vitoria University, a Regnum Christi University in Madrid, Spain, prepares members of the university community who want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Gudelia Guerra, a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi, explains it to us, noting that “UFV is a place that is open for young people to gather together and help each other grow in their faith.” As a fruit of this pastoral work, on April 15, 2023, 32 students at UFV received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the hands of Cardinal Osoro, Archbishop of Madrid.

Beginning in September, once a week, the young people who want to be confirmed arrive punctually for their appointment with their catechist at Francisco de Vitoria. Gudelia, a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi and catechist for ten of these young people, explains that the experience they have of Christ is what is important.

What is the mission of a Catholic university as regards the faith of its students?

Our greatest desire is that they encounter Christ, his living person, that they can have a real encounter with the love he has for them. Therefore, the source of the sacraments is at the center of this effort. As a university, we want to create those spaces where students can freely choose to draw near to the faith, to the person of Jesus.

These young people have many books in which to read about the life of Christ, but what I seek is to give them some tips for their relationship of friendship with Christ.

What does the preparation that UFV offers young people who want to be confirmed consist of?

Each catechist meets with their catechumens once a week. For me, the practical aspect was fundamental. These young people have many books in which to read about the life of Christ, but what I seek is to give them some tips for their relationship of friendship with Christ.

We can all read about Jesus and know things about Jesus, but loving Jesus is something very beautiful. One is directed to the intellect, and the other to the heart. Both are important. But in this time of preparation for Confirmation, I wanted them to learn how to pray, to converse with the Lord, to know how to approach him through the sacraments.

Gudelia, far left, with some of the young people who were confirmed

Being confirmed during adolescence tends to be “normal”; what benefit is there to receiving this sacrament when they are older?

I had the great blessing to accompany ten marvelous young people to this very important day of their lives. They all made the decision to be confirmed for different reasons, but they were all aware of the gift that was given to them by being able to choose it for themselves, and by experiencing in first person they learned that God’s timing is perfect.

What means does the university offer for these young people’s perseverance and growth in the faith after Confirmation?

UFV is a place that is open for young people to gather and help each other grow in their faith… Like Regnum Christi, we have several opportunities: for example, doing the itinerary of Kyrios, a program for people seeking to get to know God, which meets every other Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., and the Eucharistic Hours in the Great Hall every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. And of course, we also have our Regnum Christi Encounter with Christ groups, in which young people can meet to pray with the Gospel.

Translated from the original Spanish publication.

Lisa Small