Teens

Confirmation for Teens

Every Christian is meant to be an apostle, one who witnesses God’s truths by way of his or her words and actions.

The rite of Confirmation is celebrated with teens in the eighth grade who are baptized and who have made their first communion.

What can I expect?

Candidates who express an interest in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation are current participants in a religious education program at a Catholic grade school or participate in an after school program (such as EAM) or are in an approved home program.

Candidates participate in special catechetical sessions held on at least three times in the year in which they are to be confirmed.

Candidates participate in an interview with the pastor, a catechist or a staff member.

Candidates attend a half-day Sunday retreat pre-arranged by the Office of Faith Formation.

Each confirmation candidate is asked to provide the following:

• Proof of Baptism
• A completed sacrament form provided by the Office of Faith Formation
• The name of a confirmation sponsor: this is usually a person aged 16 or older who has been baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church.  Many times, the godparents of the candidate are chosen as the confirmation sponsors or another person, other than a parent, can be chosen who meets the above requirements.
• A confirmation name
• A signed permission slip for the retreat

What about the ceremony?

The teen receives confirmation at a parish mass at either St. Mary Church in Royal Oak or at St. James Church in Ferndale.  This happens usually during the Easter season, the date and time chosen by the bishop.

Reserved seating is provided for the confirmation candidate and his/her sponsor but is not ordinarily provided for other ceremony attendees.

You are asked to notify the Faith Formation Office if anyone attending the ceremony has special needs so that we can provide for their comfort.

The adult confirmation candidate chooses an outfit appropriate for a church ceremony.  It can be white but white is not required.

Photos and videos are allowed with some restriction.  Contact the office of Faith Formation for more details.

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