Confirmation

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth...The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." JN 14:15-17; 26.  

Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the fullness of the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply as children of God, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with its mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.

A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the Church community and in the world. Our Confirmation Process prepares them for this.

The two year Confirmation Process, usually begins in the early Fall of 9th grade, and Candidates receive the Sacrament in the late Fall of 10th grade, although we are often Confirming 11th and 12th graders too, so that should not be a concern. Therefore, we refer to them as First Year and Second Year Candidates.  Candidates who are a part of the Confirmation Process register in our High School Youth Ministry Program both their First Year AND their Second Year, and they also register for the Sacrament of Confirmation in their Second Year.  Thus attending our Sunday evening Faith Formation Classes is part of our Confirmation Process...click on the link for more information about our High School Faith Formation Classes.

Even though Canddiates are Confirmed in the late fall of their 2nd year, we intend for them to continue with the High School Youth Ministry program through their 2nd year (however, they are encouraged to stay active all throughout high school.)

Our process being two years in length is not intended to be a burden on families.  On the contrary, it is meant to spread out what we ask the Candidates to do over a longer period of time, and thus go through the Process at a more relaxed pace, balancing what we ask of them with all the other commitments in their lives. 

The Confirmation Process begins each year throughout the month of September with individual Intake Sessions, to be attended by the family team (Candidate, Sponsor, and at least one parent.) This is for both First and Second year Candidates. 

Please use Flocknote to set up your Confirmation Intake Meeting at https://olchesapeake.flocknote.com/signups/96093.