Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.

If you are interested in the preparation process here at St. Anthony of Padua, please contact the parish office at 928-684-2096.

History of the Sacrament of Confirmation

We have received the Holy Spirit in Baptism, but Confirmation strengthens his presence in our souls for a particular reason. We are maturing in our faith and are called to bear witness to the presence of God in our lives. This is not easy in a world that can often be aggressive toward what we believe. God wants us to know that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit within us will be our guide to lead us in the testimony we are called to give to the world of what it means to be Catholic. Like Baptism, it leaves a mark or seal in our soul, not only as belonging to Christ but as being his witnesses before the world. This is what it means to be soldiers of Jesus Christ. He commanded us to go out to all the world and tell the good news because he wants to conquer the hearts of all his children and let them know what he has done for them. He wants those of us who have received this gift to share it with everyone.

The Holy Spirit sends us forth but not without his gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord as well as the theological virtues of faith, hope and love and the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. All of these were given us in baptism but now are strengthened for our sending forth. The Holy Spirit will always do his part, but we need to do ours as well. We need to study our faith and grow in prayer, reading and meditating on the Sacred Scriptures and steering clear of sin and vice.

The Holy Spirit is the sweet guest of our soul. If we pay attention we can hear his inspirations throughout the day as he leads us to do good and avoid evil. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. I pray his presence will make us holier every day so that like Christ we can please the Father by fulfilling his will in our lives and being true witnesses to the love of God within us. God bless you all!