Candidates: take some time to put the world aside and focus on your relationship with our Lord. Each section has an estimated amount of time next to it. Feel free to do the whole retreat at once or in sections. When on this retreat, try to eliminate as many distractions as possible. I recommend going to a comfortable and quiet place (the church, your room, on a walk, etc). This retreat is for YOU, so use it as you need. For some of you, writing/journaling may be your preferred method; others may prefer to do it in their heads. Take this time to evaluate where you are in your spiritual journey and where you want to go. You are the only one who will see/know your reactions and answers to these prompts. Be prayerful in your approach. Be honest with yourself and God.

Section 1: My Past (45 minutes)

Spend some time reflecting on your past relationship with our Lord. Ask a parent what they prayed for you at your birth, baptism, first communion, and for the rest of your life. Consider asking a godparent the same question. Reflect on how they have helped guide you to where you are now. Remember, faith is NOT about peaks and valleys: it's about knowing a person you can reasonably trust, like any relationship. Reflect on how you have both failed and succeeded in the past in your faith.

Section 2: My Present (30 minutes)

Consider this quote: “In all your deeds and words you should look upon this Jesus as your model. Do so whether you are walking or keeping silence, or speaking, whether you are alone or with others.” St. Bonaventure. Spend some time in reflection: Are you currently using Jesus as your model? Is your life a reflection and testament to love and God? How, when, and where are doing a good job of modeling Jesus? How, when, and where can you improve? Remember, our actions are our testament of faith to God: at this moment, right now, how is your relationship with the Lord and with the world? Are you praying every day?

Section 3: My Future (this is a two part section) (1 hour, 20 minutes)

Confirmation is about receiving a gift from the Holy Spirit to prepare and bolster you to go into the world spreading the Gospel. Fr. Mike reminds us that our faith ignites when we make room for daily prayer, regular use of the sacraments, and a community of people who hold us accountable: all of which we can add to our daily lives. Take stock of these things in your life. Picture what you want your relationship with God to be like in the future. Make a plan. Look at your daily schedule and add time to your calendar for daily prayer (literally: pull out your Google calendar, iCal, planner, whatever). It doesn't need to be longer than 2 minutes. If you're already praying daily, add 10 minutes. Put your plan on paper (or digitally). Consider your relationships: are you dragging people down our lifting them toward heaven? Consider how you can find ways to lift people up in the future. What is one fire extinguisher in your life right now and what do you need to do about it?

At Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed within you: like dormant spiritual superpowers. Take some time to reflect on each of them (Wisdom, Counsel, Knowledge, Piety, Understanding, Fortitude, and Fear of the Lord). Reflect on how your patron saint allowed God to use these gifts in the world. Consider which gift you most need and why.

Section 4: My Relationship with God (45 minutes)

Think about the person in your life closest to you: the person you trust implicitly (parent, best friend, etc). Create a rubric for your relationship: communication, time spent together, similar interests, consideration for each other, etc. Use that same rubric and grade your relationship with our Lord. How did you do? Consider some ways to improve your relationship. This might be a good time to ask your sponsor and/or a parent for advice.

Along that same rubric, how do you feel God did? Carve out some time and bring that to Him. Prayer requires honesty with ourselves and God, while also patience in listening for Him.