Confirmation For Teens
A Journey Toward Receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Sacrament of Confirmation is not simply a requirement to complete—it is a moment where a young person freely responds to God’s invitation and receives the grace of the Holy Spirit to live more fully as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
At St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, we believe preparation for Confirmation should be rooted in a young person’s ongoing relationship with Christ and His Church. Because every teen’s faith journey develops differently, we are transitioning to a readiness model for Confirmation preparation.
Rather than focusing only on age or completing a checklist, we want to walk with young people long enough to see God working and growing in their lives so that they can fully receive and respond to the grace offered through the sacrament.
Confirmation preparation is available for teens in Grades 8–12 who approach the parish with a desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and demonstrate a readiness to take this next step in their journey of faith.
Starting this year under our new formational model, teens are expected to participate in Kairos (Grades 6–8) or Metanoia (Grades 9–12) for at least one year before entering Confirmation preparation. These ministries provide the ongoing community, formation, prayer, and discipleship necessary for young people to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
When a teen desires to begin preparing for Confirmation, the candidate, their parents, and parish leaders will enter into a process of discernment together. Current 8th graders seeking Confirmation in 2027 are grandfathered into our one-year formation expectation, though will still go through a discernment process to determine their readiness.
A Readiness Model
What Preparation Includes
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Because Confirmation is a personal response to God’s grace, we want every young person to prayerfully consider their readiness.
During this transition year, families of 8th-grade students will participate in a discernment process during February and March. Parents will receive a Confirmation Discernment Guide in the fall to help teens and families reflect on their readiness to take this important step of faith.
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Candidates participate in Kairos or Metanoia as their primary environment of formation. Through prayer, teaching, small groups, and community, teens continue growing in the life of discipleship and deepen their relationship with Jesus and His Church.
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Parents participate in Saturday Parent Formation gatherings throughout the year. These opportunities help parents grow in their own faith and receive support as they accompany their teens.
Families are also expected to participate in the Men’s and Women’s Retreat opportunities offered throughout the year.
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Confirmation families are invited to participate in Friday Family Worship, creating opportunities for the entire family to encounter Christ together through prayer and worship.
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In addition to Kairos or Metanoia, candidates and their parents/sponsors participate in four Confirmation-specific formation sessions throughout the year.
These sessions will take place on:
October 21st - Confirmation Session with Parents from 7:00-8:30 pm
December 16th - Confirmation Session with Parents from 7:00-8:30 pm
February 17th - Confirmation Session with Sponsors from 7:00-8:30 pm
April 7th - Confirmation Session with Parents from 7:00-8:30 pm
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Candidates will participate in the Fan Into Flame Retreat Weekend, an opportunity to step away from everyday distractions, encounter Christ more deeply, and prepare their hearts to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Fan Into Flame Retreat Weekend
November 20–22, 2026
Confirmation preparation is not simply a program for teens. We believe faith is strengthened when the entire family grows together.
Parents are the primary educators of their children’s faith, and they play an essential role in accompanying their teen toward Confirmation. Throughout the year, families will participate in formation opportunities designed to strengthen their own relationship with Christ and support their teen’s journey of discipleship.
Confirmation Is a Family Journey
The Eucharist is the center of the Christian life.
Candidates preparing for Confirmation are expected to participate in Sunday Mass every week with their families. Growth in discipleship happens through regular participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
Sunday Mass
Confirmation preparation is for teens who:
Are in Grades 8–12
Have participated in Kairos and/or Metanoia
Desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
Are willing to continue growing as disciples of Jesus Christ
Are supported by a family committed to walking with them in faith
Confirmation is not the finish line of faith formation—it is a strengthening for the mission Christ gives each of us.
Our hope is that every young person who receives Confirmation leaves prepared not only to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but to use those gifts to boldly live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Who Is Confirmation For?
We believe Confirmation is not about "graduating" from faith formation.
It is about raising young disciples who know Jesus personally, participate fully in the life of His Church, and are ready to live boldly through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our readiness model allows each teen to receive the sacrament when they are prepared to embrace both the gift and the mission of Confirmation with the hope that youth will continue to live out their faith lives within the community they’ve already established in the Church.
What Makes Our Program Different?
Candidates who are ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation will participate in a Confirmation rehearsal before the celebration of the sacrament.
Confirmation Rehearsal - Sunday, May 2 | After the 10:00 am Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Confirmation Mass - Thursday, May 6 | Cathedral of St. Paul at 7:00 pm
Confirmation Celebration
There is no registration fee for Confirmation this year. However, there will be a retreat fee of $175 per child, with a maximum family cost of $250.