Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation Preparation — Grades 7 & 8

Confirmation is an important step in a young person’s lifelong journey of faith. At St. Oscar Romero Parish, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process beginning in Grade 7 and continuing through Grade 8, with candidates receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of Grade 8.

Grade 7 — Building the Foundation

During Grade 7, students begin their formal preparation for Confirmation by deepening their understanding of the Catholic faith and strengthening their relationship with Jesus. Through class discussions, prayer, Scripture, participation in Mass, and parish life, students are encouraged to begin thinking more intentionally about what it means to live as a disciple of Christ.

Grade 8 — Preparing for Confirmation

In Grade 8, candidates continue building upon the foundation established in Grade 7 as they prepare more directly to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Throughout the year, they will explore the meaning of Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, their baptismal call, and how to continue living their Catholic faith as active members of the Church.

Preparation also includes opportunities for prayer, reflection, service, and participation in the life of our parish, as well as the selection of a Confirmation sponsor and saint name and participation in a Confirmation retreat.

A Journey of Faith

Confirmation is not a graduation from Faith Formation or the end of a young person’s relationship with the Church. It is a strengthening of the grace first received at Baptism and a call to continue growing in faith and living as a disciple of Jesus.



Throughout these two years, parents, candidates, catechists, and our parish community work together to help each young person prepare not simply for the day of Confirmation, but for a lifelong relationship with Christ and His Church.

Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation is a remarkable new Confirmation preparation program that specifically addresses the challenge of transforming the way we pass along the precious gift of the Catholic Faith to the next generation. It takes teens on a journey through Catholicism, with the goal being nothing short of winning over their hearts and minds — and keeping them firmly planted within the Church.

Chris Stefanick, Chosen’s author and lead presenter, is one of the most influential figures in teen ministry in the United States. His many years working with young people resulted in a powerful vision of a program that would truly speak to their needs and challenge them to a life of discipleship.

We invite you to watch a twenty-minute video below. This powerful and inspiring message to Confirmation parents will give a nice overview and introduction of our program. 

The Theology of Confirmation According to the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchIn order to have a balanced theology of Confirmation, five principles must be kept in mind.

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. “Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation”,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285).

It is a distinct sacramental rite. “The sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”. (#1300)

Confirmation includes a unique giving of the Holy Spirit. The confirmand is “enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit”. (#1285) “It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.” (#1302)

It is a “ratification of Baptism”, “and the strengthening of baptismal grace”. (#1289) This strengthening and ratifying is understood by a greater unity with the Church. “It renders our bond with the church more perfect.” (#1303)

Confirmation provides greater power for public witness of faith. “The confirmed person receives the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and as it were officially”. (#1305)



“I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” Mark 13:11.

The words of Mark’s gospel remind us of God’s invitation to share in the grace – filled journey of life. We pray that the Sacrament of Confirmation will deepen your relationship with the Lord, your parish community and the Church.