Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

As Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre visits parishes across the Archdiocese of Louisville for confirmation ceremonies, he emphasizes the importance of connecting with candidates and encouraging them to maintain a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Before each Confirmation Mass, Archbishop Fabre meets with the candidates to discuss the ceremony's proceedings and ease their anxieties about remembering their roles. He believes this personal interaction is vital in an age dominated by digital communication. "It gives me the opportunity to interact with them and the opportunity for them to ask questions about confirmation or other aspects of the faith," he stated.

Paige Browning, a 13-year-old recently confirmed at the Church of the Annunciation in Shelbyville, Kentucky, expressed excitement about meeting Archbishop Fabre. During a question-and-answer session, she inquired about his favorite saints. Nathan Vega, another newly confirmed 13-year-old from the same church, asked about his favorite Bible verse.

Archbishop Fabre stresses to candidates that they should rely on the Holy Spirit throughout their lives. He describes confirmation as a significant sacrament where the Holy Spirit is "poured out" upon individuals profoundly. He emphasized that it is not merely a ritual but an event meant to have enduring effects.

Browning reflected on her confirmation experience, stating her desire to cherish every moment as it represents both a unique occasion and an ongoing reaffirmation through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Archbishop Fabre further advised that "the gift of the Holy Spirit is something they should rely on for the rest of their lives," urging them to seek guidance from it continually.

He reminds candidates that during challenging times or when faced with uncertainties, "God promised he is with you with the power of the Holy Spirit."