Dear John:

Welcome to the Catholic Church. I praise God for your conversion to the Church.

While the Catholic Church does not recognize Anglican Confirmation as a valid Sacrament since the Anglicans have lost Apostolic Succession in their Holy Orders, that does not mean that you did not receive a sanctifying grace.

The Valid Sacraments of the Church are the "primary" and "normal" way God gives us sanctifying grace but not the only way. God can give sanctifying grace to whomever He pleases.

I have no doubts that your experience was a real experience with the Holy Spirit, that you received a sanctifying grace, and that it had a major impact upon you.

The Catechism tells us...

818 "However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers . . . . All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."

819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth" are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements." Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."

838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter." Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church

870 "The sole Church of Christ which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, . . . subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him. Nevertheless, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside its visible confines"(LG 8).

Your experience with the Holy Spirit as an Anglican was genuine. Now as a Catholic you may experience Him in the fullness of intimacy the He intends for us.

Welcome to the Church.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary