Confirmation

CONFIRMATION IN THE FAITH

Confirmation celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles chapter 2, verses 1 to 13, we read of the Apostles receiving the Holy Spirit. They had been hiding after Jesus’ death, afraid and uncertain. The coming of the Holy Spirit with his gifts inspired them and enabled them to take the step of preaching the good news.

We are made members of God’s family at Baptism. At Confirmation, our Baptism is completed or “sealed” by the Holy Spirit and we are called to be Christian witnesses, just like the apostles. The whole of our Christian living and the life of the Church, too, are sustained by the same Spirit.

WHO CAN RECEIVE CONFIRMATION?

Any baptised Catholic who is actively practising their faith and wishing to advance on the path of developing their faith. Therefore the child should be part of a family who together actively practices their Catholic faith.

WHAT DOES BEING AN ACTIVE PRACTICING CATHOLIC ENTAIL?

As a Catholic, basically you’re required to live a Christian life, pray daily, participate in the sacraments, obey the moral law, and accept the teachings of Christ and his Church. Following are the minimum requirements for Catholics:

  • Attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation.
  • Go to confession annually if not more often or when needed.
  • Receive Holy Communion during Easter. Receiving weekly or daily is encouraged, though.
  • Observe laws on fasting and abstinence: one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; not eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
  • Obey the marriage laws of the Church.
  • Support the Church financially and otherwise.

Knowing the faith is the first step to being Catholic,

accepting the faith is the second step,

 practicing the faith is the third — and most difficult — step.

Obeying the rules involves appreciating the wisdom and value of the various rules and laws. And, you’re asked to put that belief into action, to practice what you believe.

WHERE IS EVERYONE HIDING?

I am sometimes asked how many Catholic families are in the parish. I scratch my head and wonder. There will be over 50 children combined for Communion and Confirmation. Each week the number of children of primary school age at Mass barely reaches ten. Can we make this a year for children and families to experience the church and faith in which they are taking a big step forward?

HOW CAN PARENTS PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION?

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a powerful and transformative moment in the life of a young Catholic. It completes the grace of Baptism, strengthens the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and fully initiates the recipient into the life and mission of the Church. For Catholic parents, preparing a child for Confirmation is not just a checklist of tasks—it is a sacred responsibility and a unique opportunity to help their child grow in maturity, faith, and love for Christ.

If you are a Catholic parent seeking to prepare your child for Confirmation, here are the most important things you should be doing:

1. Understand What Confirmation Really Is

Before you can help your child, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the sacrament yourself. Confirmation is not simply a “Catholic graduation” or a tradition—it is a real encounter with the Holy Spirit, who strengthens the soul with grace to live out the Christian life with boldness and conviction.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Confirmation:

  • Roots us more deeply in the divine filiation (as children of God)
  • Unites us more firmly to Christ
  • Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • Strengthens our bond with the Church
  • Gives us the strength to spread and defend the faith (CCC 1303)

2. Discuss with your child if they wish to enrol for Confirmation Program.

In this parish, children (candidates) in sixth class who are eager to receive this sacrament go through a formal preparation process. This includes:

  • Faith formation classes by following the Grow in Love program in School.
  • Participation in Mass weekly and availing of the sacrament of confession.
  • Choosing a saint’s name and sponsor

3. Lead by Example: Live Your Faith Authentically

Your personal witness as a Catholic is one of the most powerful influences on your child’s faith life. If your child sees you:

  • Going to Mass every Sunday
  • Receiving the sacraments regularly
  • Praying daily
  • Making moral and charitable choices based on faith

…they are much more likely to take their Confirmation seriously.

Faith cannot be forced, but it can be inspired by example. Live your beliefs with love, joy, and consistency.

 

4. Pray With and For Your Child

Confirmation involves an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As your child prepares to receive the Gifts of the Spirit, pray for them often and ask the Holy Spirit to guide them. Some helpful prayers include:

  • The Prayer to the Holy Spirit
  • Novenas to the Holy Spirit
  • The Rosary, especially the Glorious Mysteries
  • Daily family prayer

You can also ask your child’s Confirmation saint to intercede for them during this time of preparation.

 

5. Talk about the Faith Openly and Respectfully

Engage your child in meaningful conversations about what they’re learning, how they feel about receiving the sacrament, and what questions or doubts they might have. Avoid lectures; instead, listen first and respond with patience, understanding, and encouragement.

This is also a good time to talk about:

  • The challenges of living as a Catholic teen
  • The importance of moral decision-making
  • The role of the Holy Spirit in everyday life
  • The connection between Confirmation and mission

6. Help Them Choose a Strong Sponsor and a Meaningful Saint Name

Your child will need to choose a Confirmation sponsor—a practicing Catholic who can serve as a spiritual guide and role model. Help them choose someone who:

  • Lives the faith actively
  • Is someone they respect and feel comfortable talking to
  • Can support them beyond the day of Confirmation

Your child will also select a Confirmation saint name, usually a saint they admire or want to emulate. Encourage them to research different saints and choose one whose life inspires them to grow in holiness and courage.

 

7. Encourage Frequent Reception of the Sacraments

Preparation for Confirmation should include regular participation in the sacraments:

  • Mass every Sunday and Holy Days
  • Regular Confession, especially in the weeks leading up to Confirmation
  • Personal prayer and Eucharistic Adoration (if available)

Remind your child that grace is real, and the sacraments are where God strengthens us for the challenges of life.

 

8. Support Them in Doing Christian Service

Many Confirmation programs include service requirements. This hasn’t been part of formal preparation in this parish but I am delighted to see young people from the parish involved in helping others as they go through secondary school. Service should not just be about checking off hours. Encourage your child to see service as a response to Jesus’ call to love others, especially the poor, the lonely, and the marginalized. Help them reflect on how serving others helps them grow in faith and charity.

9. Celebrate the Day—but Focus on the Sacrament

On the day of Confirmation, plan a joyful celebration—but don’t let the party overshadow the sacred moment. Attend the Mass reverently, pray with your child beforehand, and speak to them afterward about what they experienced. This will not feel strange or awkward if you have being doing this throughout the year

Consider giving spiritual gifts such as:

  • A Bible or missal
  • A crucifix or medal
  • A book about their Confirmation saint
  • A handwritten letter with your hopes and prayers for their spiritual life

10. Continue the Journey After Confirmation

Confirmation is not the end of faith formation—it’s a new beginning. Keep encouraging your child to:

  • Stay active in the Church and youth ministry
  • Continue learning and asking questions
  • Live out their faith in real and practical ways
  • Remain open to God’s call—whether it’s to a career, marriage, religious life, or deeper personal conversion

Let them know that even as young adults, their faith is meaningful, relevant, and needed in the world today.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Confirmation is about becoming a mature disciple of Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit and sent out on mission. As a parent, your role is to plant seeds, nourish faith, and walk beside your child as they grow into the person God is calling them to be. The reality for each family is different. Even if practice in the past had tapered off. This can be a great opportunity for a family to commit once again to their Catholic faith and focus on God’s amazing plan for you.

You don’t have to be perfect—but you do need to be present, prayerful, and supportive. With your guidance, love, and the grace of God, your child can say a wholehearted “yes” to the Holy Spirit—and step confidently into their Catholic faith for life.