Christian Mark Wahlberg Congratulates His Son and All Teens Seeking a 'Relationship With the Lord'

Mark Wahlberg is grateful — for, among other things, his son Michael’s decision.

On Sunday, the actor posted an Instagram video celebrating his 16-year-old’s confirmation.

As described by Catholic.com, the observance is “a sacrament in which the Holy Ghost is given to those already baptized in order to make them strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.”

Devout parishioner Mark greeted the world on a “beautiful” morning:

“Good morning from Europe. I just got down on my hands and my knees to express my gratitude on a beautiful day. Congratulations to my son Michael for making his confirmation.”

He also took time to laud other young people who harbor a sincere “relationship with the Lord” as they grow:

“All the young people out there who are confirmed and taking their relationship with the Lord into their adulthood, what a commitment you guys have made. Congratulations to all of you.”

Mark noted he was “just listening to a beautiful prayer” on an app called Hallow, which he’s previously promoted to his 18.5 million followers.

As I covered in April, he encouraged friends and fans to pray:

“I’m here on the set, and I’ve been getting a lot of messages from people who have been praying every day and finding peace. And especially, sending wonderful messages about doing the Rosary with me on the Hallow app. If you haven’t yet, go to the Hallow app. Let’s do the Rosary together and stay prayed up. You’ve got to stay prayed up. God bless you.”

It’s not a typical Hollywood message, but he’s not a typical Hollywood actor. Mark went to jail as an adolescent — at 16, in fact — after attacking a man outside a convenience store. Charged with attempted murder, he’d been convicted of felony assault.

He’s called the experience a “big wake-up call.”

“A lot of people go to God when they get into trouble. When I heard the jail doors close behind me…I knew that was just the beginning for me.”

Wahlberg credits his faith and the Church for helping him turn his life around. And he appears to be moving toward a more outspoken stance — Easter weekend saw the debut of his partially-self-funded Christian film Father Stu.

Our culture isn’t exactly tumbling toward Christianity, and that’s even more true of Tinseltown. Yet, there are some like Mark who resist Hollywood’s secular seduction:

Candace Cameron Doesn’t Need ‘The View,’ She Wants People to See Something Greater

A Hollywood Actress Warns of the Coming ‘Ignorance’-Fueled Attack on Christianity

Follower of Christ Denzel Washington Goes Against the Grain, Calls for Godly Men of ‘Leadership’

A Major Hollywood Star Comes to the Defense of a Man of Faith, Calls Him ‘a Real Christian’

Black Panther Star Shares Christian Testimony in Acceptance Speech: God Made You, & You’re Important

Justin Bieber Says Celibacy to Honor God Brought the Blessing of His Wife

Back to Mark’s Sunday celebration, his caption credited wife Rhea: