Confirmation: Grades 7-12

Confirmation is one of our seven sacraments: ritual blessings that bestow special grace on us as followers of Jesus Christ.

On the day you were Baptized, you were anointed with a sacred oil called chrism, which symbolizes your new relationship with the Lord. During the Confirmation Mass you will be anointed with it again, since that relationship has evolved and is entering a new phase. This is the sacrament of mission, sending us out into the world to find those who are sick, suffering, and oppressed. We bring the power of the Holy Spirit to wherever it is needed — and to whomever is longing for it!

Confirmation classes have three goals:

1. To help you discern the spiritual gifts that God created you with, and to begin exploring how those gifts will shape your future life 

2. To give you examples of ways that the saints have used the same spiritual gifts to serve God, his people, and the world he made creatively and effectively

3. To build confidence as a missionary Catholic, sharing the love and the power of God with the people in your life 

There are a few basic requirements. In the Archdiocese of Portland, Confirmation is offered to students in grade 7 or above who have already been Baptized. If you or your child haven't been Baptized yet, send Chris an email to discuss that first step.

There are a few things you can do now to start getting ready.

1. Locate your certificate of Baptism

If you can't find your certificate, please call the church where you were Baptized and ask for a replacement (there shouldn't be a charge for this). PLEASE NOTE: We will not return the certificate, so please don't bring your original!  A legible photocopy or scan is all we need.  

2. Consider who you would like your sponsor(s) to be

Canon law requires each candidate to be sponsored by a fully initiated and practicing Catholic. Many candidates choose to have a sacramentally married couple instead of an individual, which is also allowed. A sponsor should be someone Catholic, 25 years or older (18+ if it is a close family member), already Confirmed, and someone you are comfortable having thoughtful and personal conversations with.  Parents are not permitted to sponsor their own children for this sacrament.

3. Keep your eyes and ears open for your patron saint

Since the days of St. Paul converting the Greeks (who were customarily named after pagan gods), Christians have traditionally adopted a "saint" name when they are initiated into the Church. Our class will spend some time learning how you can find a saint with whom you share some interests, challenges, and goals.  

Good at sports? Let me introduce you to St. Sebastian.  Love to make people laugh?  Here's St. Genesius.  Afraid of snakes? Let me tell you about the time St. Paul found himself shipwrecked on an island of vipers.  Wish you were taller? Meet St. John.  With almost 20,000 saints in our books, there's a good chance you'll meet someone you have a lot in common with!