• What is confirmation?
  Confirmation is one of the sacraments that constitute the "sacraments of initiation". Confirmation is essential for the completion of baptismal grace. Through the celebration of confirmation the faithful are more bound to a relationship with Christ and His Church and the faithful are supported and enriched by Holy Spirit to become faithful servants of Christ (CCC 1285). Confirmation is the renewal of the baptismal promises and profession of faith (CCC 1298).
  
  What does it mean to be confirmed?
  To be confirmed is to have renewed the baptismal promises and profession of faith that is made at our baptism. Through the confirmation celebration we are more firmly united to Christ. Confirmation increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us that was outpoured to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Confirmation leaves a spiritual mark on the soul, a similar spiritual mark that was done during our baptism.
   
  Where does confirmation come from?
  Confirmation comes from Christ himself and is administered and protected in the Church that Christ established in Matthew 16:18. Confirmation in the form of laying of hands and receiving the Holy Spirit can be found deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture in the book of Acts.
  
  What does being confirmed mean for me?
  Being confirmed is the outward acceptance of the faithful Catholic to freely choose Christ and the become a true member in the Body of Christ, the Church. Christ instructed His apostles and their successors to teach the Christian community in the ways he wishes to be worshipped and honored. Christ instituted to sacraments of initiation to more firmly unite His people to Him.

• What do I need to do before I get started?
  Submit proper documentation and paperwork to the Youth Ministry Department of St. Robert Bellarmine.
  
  How long is this going to take?
  The Confirmation Preparation Program is a two-year program that occurs in two cycles: Year 1 and Year 2 Confirmation Classes.
  
  What will I learn during this program?
  In this program, you will learn ALL about your Catholic Faith and the Church Christ established. This program will take you through the life of Christ, the life of the Church, and essential Catholic doctrines. Candidates will learn what it means to be a practicing Catholic and what that looks like in the world today.
  
  What will I need to do before the end of this program?

  • Attendance and participation at ALL class sessions (unless receives a dispensation, see "Attendance" page for more information)
  • Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation
  • Participation in entire 2 year Confirmation Preparation program
  • Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the celebration of Confirmation
  • Completion of assignments such as:
    • "Why do I want to be Confirmed" project (due in Year 2)
    • "Saint" project (due in Year 2)
    • Class room assignments and activities
  • Submit forms:
    • Copy of Baptismal Certificate (if not baptized at St. Robert Bellarmine)
    • Copy of Holy Communion Certificate
    • Confirmation information form

Attendance
Attendance at class sessions are MANDATORY.

                    Classes are every 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month at 12:00pm-1:30pm
Attendance at weekly Mass is MANDATORY.

                    Must attend the 11:00am Mass at St Robert Bellarmine Church
Attendance at events such as Penance Services and Retreats are MANDATORY.

Make-up assignments will not offered, so it is necessary for candidates to be present and participate at every class session.
If there is an illness or an emergency that prevents the candidate from attending any of the required meeting days, please be sure to contact the director as soon as possible. Non-emergency absences such as sport games, school activities, family parties are not valid excuses. Poor attendance and inability to participate at ALL REQUIRED events may result in the need to repeat the year of preparation. If you have any question in regards to absences, please feel free to contact the director.

What is required of candidate to be confirmed?

• Candidate must be baptized
• Candidate should freely be choosing to participate in the celebration of Confirmation
• Candidate must complete the two-year preparation program
• Candidate must be in a state of grace prior to celebrating the Confirmation
• Candidate must have adequate knowledge of the Faith candidate must be practicing their Catholic Faith

• What is a sponsor for Confirmation?
  Confirmation sponsors are role models, examples, and representatives of the Catholic Community. Sponsor's must be fully initiated into the Church and practicing their faith. The sponsor should be called to spiritually support the Confirmation candidate on their faith journey prior and after the celebration of Confirmation.
  
  Role of Sponsor:

  • Encourages and supports the candidate of their faith journey and what is required of a Catholic practicing their Faith
  • Will present candidate to the bishop for Confirmation
  Requirements of Confirmation Sponsor
  • CANNOT be the parent of candidate
  • Is a fully Catholic (completed their sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist)
  • If married, MUST be married in the Catholic Church
  • Actively practices their Catholic Faith
  • MUST be at least 18 years of age 
  
  
  ATTENTION SPONSORS: Please fill out the CATHOLIC SPONSOR INFORMATION FORM. If you are a parishioner of a parish other than St. Robert Bellarmine, please attach a letter from your Pastor that states you are in good standing and are in the position to be a qualified sponsor.

Guess what? You get a new name! One of the cool things about getting confirmed in the Church is that you get to choose a new name to be confirmed with.

Where does this name come from?
Each candidate chooses a name for their Confirmation. The name that the candidate chooses will be the name of one of the Saints in the Catholic Church.

How do I choose this new name?
Candidates choose the name of a Saint that highlights the candidates faith journey. Typically candidates choose Saints that inspired them on their journey through the confirmation program process or even a Saint that the candidate aspires to imitate. As St. Paul called for church of Corinth to be a imitators of him. (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Which Saint names can I choose from?
Candidates can pick any Saint that is canonized or in the process of being canonized (aka a Blessed Saint). The Saint chosen does not need to match the sex of the candidate, which means you can choose ANY Saint that speaks to YOU! Feel free to spend some time reflecting on the lives of the Saints and see which one is the PERFECT one for YOU!

What happens if I choose the wrong name?
Impossible! It is said that although WE choose are Confirmation Saint name, it is actually the Saint that chooses US! So if you feel called to a certain Saint, respond to that CALL! They may be choosing you! 
 

What is the Confirmation Project?

Confirmation candidates are asked to choose a Saint to reflect on during their Confirmation program process. Candidates are encouraged to research the life of the Saint and reflect on what the Saint and their life means to the candidate. Once the candidate chooses a Saint that represents them, they will be tasked with the project of writing a short paper on the chosen Saint and how this Saint relates/means to them. This paper will then be submitted to Sister Alma and Father Marco Ortiz to review. If time permits, candidates will be encouraged to share the chosen Saint with their fellow classmates during a class session or retreat!

Project requirements:

• CHOOSE the name of a Saint. (See previous page for more information on choosing a Saint)
• RESEARCH the life of the Saint.
• REFLECT on what this Saints means in your life, or what they will mean to you throughout your life.
• WRITE a 1-2 page paper addressing the topics above.
• SUBMIT paper by Deadline date

What is the "Why I Want to be Confirmed" paper?
Confirmation candidates are required to submit a 1-2 page paper on why they want to be Confirmed. This paper will due and required to be completed prior to the celebration of the Confirmation ceremony. This paper is a letter to the Bishop explaining to him why the candidate wishes to be Confirmed and how they plan to continue practicing their Catholic life after the celebration of Confirmation.

What Should be in the Paper?

• Who you are
• Why you are in the Confirmation Preparation Program
• Highlights of the Program, as well as key takeaways of lesson learned
• How you plan to continue a life for Christ, both personally and in the community

Paper requirements:

• 1-2 pages
• Must address topics mentioned above.
• Letter format
• Must be submitted by paper due date to be approved by Director

Confirmation Registration Form 2024-2025