Dear Adult Candidate for Confirmation,

Welcome to the Catholic Community of St. Raphael!  Thank you for your interest in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with us. Our hope is that through your journeying and participating in the preparation process your spiritual growth, your relationship with God, and your life as a Christian Catholic will be enhanced.

The New Testament repeatedly shows how the Holy Spirit assisted Christ in fulfilling his mission. On receiving the Baptism of John, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and remained in Him. (MT3:16). Teaching the people of Nazareth Jesus tells those listening that the words of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” refer to Himself. (LK 4:17). On multiple occasions, He promises His disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them bear witness to their faith even before persecutions. Finally, after His resurrection Christ promised His followers the gift of the Holy Spirit would descend upon them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you.” (Acts 1:8)

Pope Francis recently described the Holy Spirit as, “the inexhaustible source of God’s life in us.” Through the celebration of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit, in essence, is reawakened within us so that we can become more aware and attuned to God’s presence (life) within us. The Holy Spirit teaches us to look with the eyes of Christ, to live life as Christ lived, to understand life as Christ did.

The community of St. Raphael welcomes you!