In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens the baptized with His seven gifts and sends them out as witnesses of Christ. Preparation can take months, and candidates, whether teens in a parish program or adults entering the Church, benefit greatly from the prayers of family, sponsors, catechists, and parishioners. This prayer asks the Holy Spirit to fill candidates with faith, hope, and charity and to make them faithful witnesses. Pray it through the preparation period, at a

Baptism is the doorway to every other grace. In it we were washed of original sin, made children of God, and joined to the Church, most of us long before we could understand what had happened. It is good to go back to that gift deliberately and give thanks for it. This short prayer of thanksgiving is ideal on the anniversary of your baptism (worth finding out and marking on the calendar), at the Easter Vigil when the baptismal promises are renewed, on the feast of the Baptism

Pray for the holiness and perseverance of priests. The Prayer O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let Thy holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion. Bless the

After receiving absolution, this traditional thanksgiving asks for perseverance in amendment. The Prayer O almighty and most merciful God, I give Thee hearty thanks for having admitted me to the Sacrament of Penance, and for having cleansed my soul from sin through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Strengthen me by Thy grace, that I may never again offend Thee, and that I may carefully avoid the occasions of sin. Help me to perform my penance faithfully, and to begin a new

Prepare for the Sacrament of Penance with this traditional prayer for light and true sorrow. The Prayer O Almighty and most merciful God, Who hast made me out of nothing, and redeemed me by the Precious Blood of Thine only Son; Who hast with so much patience borne with me to this day, notwithstanding all my sins and ingratitude; look down upon me with pity and compassion, and grant me now earnestly to confess my sins with such sorrow as may obtain Thy forgiveness. Give me lig