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Resources for Confirmation

Information and resources related to the Sacrament of Confirmation

Welcome,

To the parents, pastors, clergy, and lay catechetical leaders who are involved in Confirmation preparation – thank you! We learn in the Catechism that “Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life.” This is important and beautiful work; we are grateful for your efforts.

You have likely heard that the Cardinal decided to lower the normal age of reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Boston from around the age of 16 (or 10th or 11th grade) to around the ages of 13-14 (or 8th grade).

What follows is a set of resources and information to help you implement this change within your parish. As the Cardinal points out in his letter, the Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship supports parishes throughout the Archdiocese; don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance on navigating this change in the age for Confirmation and with your efforts to evangelize and catechize people of all ages.

Come Holy Spirit!

Bishop Cristiano B. Barbosa

Cabinet Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship

 

Bishop Mark O’Connell

Vicar General

Download Letter

Archdiocesan Confirmation Guidelines

Sacramental Record Keeping Best Practices

Confirmation Age Change Information

The Cardinal has decided to lower the normal age of reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Boston from around the age of 16 (or 10th or 11th grade) to around the ages of 13-14 (or 8th grade).

The text of the official decree implementing the change is available at this link and updated Confirmation guidelines are now available at this link.

Confirmation dates – It is expected that it will be possible for parishes to request additional Confirmation dates with Episcopal Vicars and Bishops through May 2027.  While it is also possible for pastors to request delegation to convey the sacrament of Confirmation to account for the need for additional Confirmations, the preference is to request additional dates.

The expected phase-in period is 3 years and pastors have discretion on how they may wish to manage the change in their parishes until May 1, 2027.

January 18, 2024 Letter from the Cardinal

Archdiocese to lower confirmation age to eighth grade

Confirmation Age Change FAQ for Parents

The Cardinal has decided to lower the normal age of reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Boston from around the age of 16 (or 10th or 11th grade) to around the ages of 13-14 (or 8th grade).

If you have particular concerns or questions as a parent, parish faith formation leader, or member of the clergy which you would like to see addressed in this FAQ document that are not at this time then please do not hesitate to contact us – contact info is available in the bottom tab on the left.

Parents, families, and Confirmation candidates – please understand that your parishes did not receive notice of this change before you did and that they need time to discern and implement a plan for this change in your parish.

The expected phase-in period is 3 years and pastors have discretion on how they may wish to manage the change in their parishes until May 1, 2027.

January 18, 2024 Letter from the Cardinal

Archdiocese to lower confirmation age to eighth grade

Confirmation Transition Timelines

Confirmation: Suggested Transition Timelines

Parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston have until May 1, 2027, to complete their transition from the normal age of Confirmation being around the age of 15-16 (grades 10-11) to around the age of 13-14 (grade 8). Pastors of parishes may exercise their discretion in how they manage the transition period between 2024 and May 2027.   

  • Some parishes have indicated that they will not be making any changes within the next year in order to prepare and plan for implementing this change.   
  • Some parishes have begun designing and implementing a period of transition to the new normative age to implement over time. 
  • Some parishes have chosen to offer Confirmation to more young people starting in the  spring of 2024 with the intention of adjusting to the new normative age sooner rather than later.  

Parish leaders have requested some suggested models or timelines for implementing this transition.  Here below are three possible models for consideration, roughly following the transition plans mentioned above.

3-Year Confirmation Transition Process

  • Overview
    • 1 Confirmation date in 2025, up to 2 in 2026, and up to 2 in 2027
  • 2025
    • Confirmation of 10th graders (who are in 9th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025 as usual
  • 2026
    • Confirmation of 10th graders (who are in 8th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026 as usual
    • Confirmation of 9th graders (who are in 7th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026
      • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in spring or fall 2026 depending upon the number of candidates
  •  2027
    • Confirmation of 9th graders (who are in 6th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2027
      • Confirmation of 8th graders (who are in 5th grade in 2024) in 2027
        • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in 2027 depending on the number of candidates

2-Year Confirmation Transition Process

  • Overview
    • 1 Confirmation date in 2025, up to 2 in 2026, 1 in 2027 and after
  • 2025
    • Confirmation of 10th graders (who are in 9th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025 as usual
    • Confirmation of 9th graders (who are in 8th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025
      • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in spring or fall 2025 depending upon the number of candidates
  • 2026
    • Confirmation of 8th graders (who are in 6th grade in 2024) and 9th graders (who are in 7th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026
      • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in spring or fall 2025 depending upon the number of candidates
  • 2027
    • Confirmation of 8th graders (who are in 5th grade in 2024) in 2027

1-Year Confirmation Transition Process

  • Overview
    • Up to 3 Confirmation dates in 2025, 1 in 2026 and after
  • 2025
    • Confirmation of 8th graders (who are in 7th grade in 2024), 9th graders (who are in 8th grade in 2024), and 10th graders (who are in 9th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025
      • After a period of preparation in 2024-2025
      • May require requesting 2 additional Confirmation dates in spring or fall 2025 depending upon the number of candidates in each grade
  • 2026
    • Confirmation of 8th graders (who are in 6th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026
    • Transition has been completed in 2 years
  • 2027
    • Confirmation of 8th graders (who are in 5th grade in 2024) in 2027
Suggested Confirmation Program

Confirmation: Suggested Program of Formation

This document provides a brief overview which can be used as a guide for preparing candidates of any age for Confirmation.  It should be adapted depending upon the circumstances of the candidates – their age, previous formation, and other similar factors. Some candidates may have already received extensive catechetical formation and be actively practicing the habits of the Christian life. Some candidates may have received little previous catechetical formation and may not be actively practicing their faith. A parish must consider how best to account for these differences through the formation it offers. For more information on required confirmation preparation timelines, please see the decree announcing the change in the normative age of reception and the Archdiocesan Confirmation guidelines document.

Any program of formation should not be limited to catechetical or academic formation but also include invitation and instruction in how to participate in the life of the Church as an expression of lived faith in the person of Jesus Christ.  It should not be expected that candidates for Confirmation have memorized particular prayers or information on the Christian life such that they might be able to repeat them back or pass a test on the information below.  The expectation is that candidates have an earnest desire for the sacrament, openness to living a Christian life, and have been exposed to some of the information and practices below at some point leading up to or during their preparation. 

General Formation Leading up to Confirmation Preparation: 

  1. Personal Commitment to Faith in Jesus Christ 
    • Who is Jesus Christ and what is His Good News?
    • Incarnation, Ministry, Paschal Mystery, Mission, Salvation/Redemption
    • Review of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit 
  2.  Having a Catholic Prayer Life 
    • Developing habits of Catholic Christian prayer
      • Including both individual and communal prayer
    •  Introduction to types of Christian Prayer such as 
      • Rote Prayer 
      • Prayer with Scripture  
      • Liturgical Prayer 
      • Intercessory Prayer  
      • Devotional Prayer 
      • Meditative Prayer 
      • Extemporaneous Prayer 
  3.  Belonging to the Catholic Church 
    • The four marks of the Church 
    • The mission of the Church 
  4. Encountering Christ in the Sacraments 
    • Understanding the Seven Sacraments 
    • Sacraments of Initiation, Healing, and Service 
  5. Living the Catholic Christian Moral Life 
    • Catholic Moral Life 
      • 10 Commandments 
      • The Beatitudes 
    • Catholic Social Teaching 
      • Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy 
  6. Regular Reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion 
    • What is reconciliation and why is it necessary and important? 
    • The Rite of Penance: Examination of Conscience, Contrition, Confession, Absolution, Penance 
    • What is the Eucharist?  How can we encounter Christ in the Eucharist and at Mass?  Why is regular attendance at Mass necessary and important? 
    • Understanding the Mass: Introductory Rite, Penitential Rite, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Dismissal

Immediate Preparation for Reception of Confirmation: 

  1. Who is the Holy Spirit?   
    1. Gifts of the Holy Spirit 
    2. Fruits of the Holy Spirit 
    3. Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church 
    4. Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of every Christian 
  2. The Sacrament of Confirmation 
    1. The Rite of Confirmation 
    2. Renewal of Baptismal Promises  
    3. Laying on of Hands
    4. Anointing with Chrism: Being Sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
    5. Role of the Sponsor 
  3. Life After Confirmation 
    1. Living as a follower of Jesus: sacramental life, prayer life, moral life, and Christian community 
    2. Participating in the life of the Church 
    3. Accepting your role as being on mission to proclaim Christ to the world 
    4. Understanding the role of the Baptized as Priest, Prophet, and King

Summaries of Available Curricula

Please see this document for more basic information on available curricula: Confirmation Curriculum Summaries.

Available Confirmation Curricula

Below please find links to various available curricula for preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for those in grades 6-8. While this list is extensive, we are aware that it does not list all available options. We welcome your suggestions and feedback on the following and other available curricula. If available, you’ll also find below links to recordings of curricula overviews publishers hosted for the Archdiocese of Boston or individual contact information for you to reach out for more information.

Drop-in Zoom Meetings:

Those who lead Confirmation preparation are invited to join any or all of the following drop-in meetings with the Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship team to discuss the implementation of the change in age of Confirmation, ask questions, and share ideas. Meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month September-December at both 2-2:30pm and 7-7:30pm.

Afternoon sessions:

September 12th, October 10th, November 14th, and December 12th

2-2:30pm

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87160032579?pwd=MEeEqccrAYbil8e0lBWo1JncaTvlK4.1

Evening sessions:

September 12th, October 10th, November 14th, and December 12th

7-7:30pm

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82159764755?pwd=2kxXKpA8XENJkFFg7vVYnHIcYc7Z6u.1

Requests for Exceptions to the Normal Age of Confirmation

It is possible for individual people and parishes to request exceptions to the normative age of reception of the sacrament of Confirmation at age 13-14 in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. 

Please see below for information on what to include in such a request as a parish or individual candidate.

Request for Confirmation Exceptions

Parish Requests for Exceptions to the Normal Age of Confirmation

Parishes, collaboratives of parishes, and particular cultural communities may request to continue offering Confirmation at the age of 16. Requests are taken seriously but will be granted in limited and particular circumstances only. Requests from parishes, collaboratives, or communities should include: 

  • A brief description of your current confirmation preparation process including information on the curriculum used; the expectations or requirements placed on candidates, sponsors, and families; the faith formation leaders and catechists involved; the typical average and current number of participants; how you define success for your preparation process; and information on how you are monitoring that success 
  • A brief description of your grades 1-8 faith formation offerings including information on the curriculum, expectations for participants and families, and structure of paid and volunteer leadership 
  • A brief description of your high school youth ministry offerings including information on the goal, structure, participants, and leadership 
  • An explanation for why you believe maintaining reception of Confirmation at the age of 16 for your parish, collaborative, or community is in the best interests of your parish and the candidates for Confirmation with a particular emphasis on their continued engagement in the life of the faith, growth in discipleship, and participation in the parish or faith community. 

Please submit requests in writing addressed to Bishop Cristiano Barbosa and send them to Patrick Krisak at pkrisak@rcab.org and Diane Campbell at dcampbell@rcab.org. 

Individual Requests for Exceptions to the Normal Age of Confirmation

Individual people (preferably in cooperation with their families) aged 7 to 13 may submit a request to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation before the normal age of 13-14 to their parish pastor. Pastors should take such requests seriously but may or may not grant them. Pastors are welcome but not required to consult their regional Episcopal Vicar or the Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship when considering such requests.

Requests from individual candidates should include: 

  • A brief personal and spiritual biography – please include your name, age, school, parish, a brief description of personal and family habits of prayer, mention of personal hobbies or interests, and some information about personal and family participation in aspects of Christian life including but not limited to activity in your parish
     
  • Indication of support from your parents/guardians and family, if possible, which can be noted in the request from the candidate or included as a separate letter
     
  • Indication of support from your parish faith formation leader or catechist, if possible, which can be noted in the request from the candidate or included as a separate letter
     
  • An explanation for why you are making this request and your understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation 

Music for First Communion and Confirmation

A Catechetical Guide for Liturgical Celebrations

Confirmation Listening Sessions

The Archdiocese of Boston hosted 7 listening sessions in February and March 2024 with parish clergy and faith formation leaders to hear from them on the following questions:

  • What does it mean to be prepared to receive the sacrament of Confirmation?
  • What opportunities does this change present for family and youth ministry in your parish?
  • How can the archdiocese support you throughout implementing this change?

A summary of what we heard at those sessions is available at this link.

Faith Formation Leader Resources

Patrick Krisak’s Bio

Patrick has worked for the archdiocese since 2014.  He works in the areas of faith formation, ethnic communities, pastoral planning, evangelization, discipleship, and leadership.  Patrick has worked previously in parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston and elsewhere as a Director for Evangelization, Director of Religious Education, and Coordinator of Youth Ministry.  He and his wife have two sons.

Patrick Krisak

Director of Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship
617-746-5753
Contact Patrick

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Liz Cotrupi’s Bio

Liz is first and foremost, a daughter of God. She is  married to her best friend, Tony, and enjoys his help with preparing couples for marriage. She has three adult children and loves being “Nana” to her grandkids. Liz started serving in ministry when her children were small as many moms do. Eventually, her pastor asked her to run the high school faith formation program. Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in business from Worcester State College, she knew she needed more theology. After certificates in catechesis and youth ministry, she moved on to get her Master of Theological Studies from Saint John’s Seminary. Before coming to the Archdiocese of Boston in 2016, Liz was the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Worcester Diocese. She has been blessed to serve on team for Cursillo, lead pilgrimages to Marian sites, and mission trips locally and abroad.

Liz Cotrupi

Director of Family Life & Ecclesial Movements
617-746-5801
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Melissa Kalpakgian’s Bio

Originally from Texas, Melissa brings to the Boston area her southern hospitality and her “y’all.” Melissa has worked in evangelization efforts for the Church in some way, shape, or form in different areas of the country. Her fascination with St. John Paul II’s philosophical works led her to pursue a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and her M.A. in Thomistic Philosophy from the Center of Thomistic Studies. She is also certified in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Levels 1, 2, and 3. In her free time, she and her husband strive to discover the meaning of “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:9) in the various facets of life.

Melissa Kalpakgian

Evangelization Consultant
617-746-5755
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Rosemary Maffei’s Bio

Rosemary is originally from Hingham and, after living in Minnesota and Florida, returned to the area to attend Boston College. After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Human Resources, Rosemary made Boston her home and enjoyed work in human resources roles within financial services for over a decade.

In response to the Lord’s call to use her leadership and organizational development experience coupled with her love for Christ to serve the Church directly in her daily work, Rosemary pursued a Master of Arts in Ministry from the Theological Institute for the New Evangelization, complemented with study through Loyola University in Rome and the Theology of the Body Institute in PA, and joined the Archdiocese of Boston.

In addition to an interest in igniting a love for Christ in others through the new evangelization, she has a particular interest in the Theology of the Body, the dignity of human life, the intersection of faith and business, and the intersection of faith and culture. She loves visiting with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration and meeting Him in each individual encounter until we see Him face to face!

Rosemary Maffei

Evangelization Consultant
617-746-5760
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Wendy Meija’s Bio

Born in El Salvador, Wendy came to the United States when she was three years old, and ever since then, she has called Massachusetts her home.

Raised in a beautiful Catholic family, Wendy volunteered her teenage years to youth ministry and volunteered for mission trips locally and abroad.

Wendy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Northeastern University and later pursued a career in public relations. Today, Wendy has more than ten years of experience in the field of public relations.

In addition to her new role at the Archdiocese, Wendy continues to serve as an active member of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, along with her husband Deacon Franklin Mejia, and their two children, Gabriel and Isabella.

Wendy Rodriguez Mejia

Director of Multicultural Ministries
617-746-5791
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