St. Patrick’s Cathedral was filled with joyful voices, reverent silence, and the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit on Sunday morning, as 51 children with special needs received the Sacrament of Confirmation in a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Families, friends, and supporters from across the Archdiocese of New York filled the pews for what organizers say was the largest group of special needs confirmandi ever welcomed to the cathedral. The Mass was the culmination of six months of preparation led by the archdiocese’s Special Needs Ministry.

“We have 51 kids today who are going to receive the Holy Spirit in confirmation,” said Robin Klueber, Coordinator of the Office of Youth Faith Formation. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring all the kids together—when they’re of all different types of special needs and disabilities — to know that they’re all God’s children.”

Cardinal Dolan anointed each child with sacred chrism and laid hands on them, invoking the Holy Spirit in a sacrament that marks the full initiation of the baptized into the Catholic Church. The children — who had studied, prayed, and performed volunteer work in preparation — beamed with joy as they completed this milestone of faith.

“I picked Saint Joan of Arc,” said Isabella, a student at The Summit School. “I like her story… she kept on fighting and being resilient. It’s amazing.”

Other children chose saints like Pope John Paul II and the Blessed Virgin Mary, drawing inspiration from their courage, holiness, and love. “I feel excited to get confirmed,” said Parker, one of the candidates. He chose Pope St. John Paul II as his confirmation saint.

Parents expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to have Cardinal Dolan confer Confirmation upon the children. “To have the cardinal do this for us and confirm these children is just a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said one mother. “We are very grateful.”

Organizers hope to make the Mass an annual tradition. “We must include all God’s children,” said Klueber. “The more people that know about this, the more families we can serve.”

As the cathedral doors closed and families stepped back onto Fifth Avenue, the grace of the day remained etched in the hearts of those who witnessed it and sealed in the souls of 51 young Catholics called to holiness.