Confirmation Preparation Ministry Components and Requirements

Confirmation Preparation Ministry Components and Requirements

Confirmation is a two-year process of preparation in the Archdiocese of Chicago. This journey invites the youth to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Through a deeper relationship with Jesus, youth become further acquainted with the unconditional Love of God so that they might face the challenges of life rooted in faith and without fear. Confirmation completes the sacraments of initiation.

Preparation for Confirmation includes: 

• Participation in Sunday Worship: The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith; all candidates are expected to attend Sunday Worship weekly. Mass times are 5pm and Sunday at 8am, 11am and 4pm.
• Academic Formation is catechesis in a classroom via parish school or faith formation ministries. These sessions will include written reflection assignments that help the youth understand the effects of the sacrament and reflect on their faith
• Confirmation Retreat: The Archdiocese of Chicago requires youth to attend 1 retreat for each year of
• Missionary Service: Missionary Initiative or service projects are a way of practicing what it means to live as a believer intentionally: to see the world, hear the world, and live within the world with the eyes, ears, hands, and heart of Christ; especially for the poor, sick and most vulnerable in our society. Service or missionary spirit reminds and teaches all Christians that service is an expression of love and is performed by Christians towards building up the Kingdom of God on earth.

Missionary Service is intentionally taking on the mission of the Gospel. In preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, service is to be done within a certain framework. We ask candidates to complete at least one service project in the context of family, one in the context of parish, and one in the context of the wider community for each year of prep. The projects that candidates undertake are to be independent of requirements he/she might participate in or perform within their school or extracurricular activities. Candidates undertake the projects as a means to learn and to seek to know and encounter Christ in the work or people impacted by the candidate’s contribution through his/her project.

• Formation Gatherings take place outside of classroom formation. Youth must attend 5 of 7 gatherings over 18 months. Formation Gatherings will occur on Sunday mornings, concluding with the 11 am Mass, or Sunday afternoons, concluding with Mass at 4 pm. You can only miss 1 gathering and still be eligible for Confirmation.

   Why Sunday’s? 

• • Archdiocesan policy prohibits sports during the parish-scheduled Mass times on Sunday mornings. This provides a window for the parish to include Mass and Confirmation prep without youth having to choose Confirmation prep over their parish-sponsored sports. Per page 18 of the Archdiocesan Handbook for Athletic Programs in K-8 Catholic Schools: “No practices or games should be scheduled at the same time Mass is scheduled on Sunday morning, as families should be allowed the opportunity to attend Mass together.”

• Requirements:

  • Formally apply for Confirmation via the parish website by January 1 ^st.
    • • Applications are not complete without sacramental records and the parent and candidate reflection complete.
      • If you received Sacraments at Old Mary’s Parish, we will notify you if we need additional information.
  • Submit Baptismal and First Eucharist records to the Lifelong Faith Formation
  • Participate in Sunday worship on a weekly basis
  • Participate in academic formation for the sacrament
  • Participate in 5 of 7 formation gatherings. (1 absence allowed to remain eligible for Confirmation)
  • Attend the Confirmation retreat from beginning to end.
  • Participate in Missionary Service Initiatives; some restrictions apply.
  • All communication related to sacramental prep is directed at the parish Lifelong Faith Formation office.
  • Remain attentive to the parish Confirmation Website, schedule, and communications from the parish Lifelong Faith Formation office.
  • All communications between parish, parents, and candidates should assume the best intentions and demonstrate kindness, respect, and consideration for one another in the example of Jesus.
    • • Sacramental Prep Communications will come via the PARISH EBLAST system and Parish Lifelong Formation Office.
      • Please contact us regarding questions related to Sacramental Prep. 

7th Grade Confirmation Prep Calendar

Missionary Initiative/Service Opportunity

Here is a link to a pdf file if you wish to download this information. https://oldstmarys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Confirmation-Preparation-Ministry-Components-and-Requirements.pdf