And I was in 6th grade. Back then, the bishop came every other year so they combined 6th and 7th grades. Our Confirmation was held in the evening and, due to the large number of confirmandi, admission to church was by ticket only. The church was packed - SRO. With such a large group, the nuns were armed to the teeth with clickers, warning us not to step out of line and to remind us of when to kneel, etc. That night is burned into my memory banks especially the point in his homily when the bishop called us "Soldiers of Christ". And that is how I still view myself.
We wore the white gown and the red beanie, too.
With the small white pom pom on top :-)
Yes, our bishop came every other year, as well. (I remember being somewhat miffed that I had to wait a whole year.)
Oh, yes, the sisters with the clicker. God bless them. They taught me so much.
We got the “Soldiers of Christ” message in our training, and I remember being very proud to be called that. I distinctly recall thinking to myself as I returned to my seat following the sacrament, “Now, I am a soldier of Christ”.
Confirmation impressed me so much more than First Communion and Penance because, I suppose, I was so much further along intellectually.