The Sacrament of Confirmation
Student Requirements
Be Baptized in the Catholic Church.
Families can submit a copy of the baptismal certificate or profession of faith (if baptized outside the Catholic Church) by emailing Emily Curran, or by visiting the parish office during office hours.
Complete two full years of Confirmation preparation.
In the first year of preparation, students become familiar with the basics of the faith, develop their life of prayer, and connection to their parish community. In the second year of preparation, students dive deeper into their faith with a small group mentor, as well as memorize basic prayers and track their Mass attendance every Sunday.
Attend a Confirmation Retreat.
During the second year of class, students attend a Confirmation retreat typically in the Spring.
Find an eligible sponsor.
Please see the section below for the Sponsor Requirements.
Choose a Confirmation Saint and submit a Saint Report.
A Confirmation Saint is chosen as a mentor and intercessor for us in heaven. It could be a saint you relate to or whose story inspires you. You give this Saint’s name, along with your name, to the bishop when you receive Confirmation.
Complete service hours. In the second year of class, students complete either 15 total service hours, OR 5 different service projects of at least an hour each. This is to help the Confirmation candidates practice living out their faith, being a witness to the sacrificial love of Christ.
”Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:37-41
Sponsor Requirements
Be a mature role model in the faith.
It can be a great honor for a close family friend or relative to be asked to be a sponsor. However, the most important thing to consider is that a sponsor is a mature role model in living the Christian life. This will look different for everyone. Here are some basic guidelines:
Attend Mass weekly.
Believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church, including everything in the Apostles’ Creed and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist
Be an example of Christian faith and morals. This includes principles of charity and sexual morality (ie, not living with a boyfriend/girlfriend).
Be older that 16, and not a parent of the Confirmation candidate. Older siblings, grandparents, or other relatives are allowed.
Sign the Sponsor Agreement Form.
Turn in the form, along with the needed certificates, as soon as possible. If you are not a parishioner of St. Mary Magdalen, you will need to obtain a signature of endorsement from your pastor.
Be Confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church.
Sponsors need to be fully initiated Catholics before they can sponsor someone else into full membership in the Catholic Church.
If married, proof of a valid marriage in the Roman Catholic Church.
Confirmation sponsors do not need to be married, but if they are, their marriage needs to be recognized by the Church. The Sacrament of Marriage is a beautiful, earthly sign of the marriage between Christ and His Church. To marry outside of the Church as a Catholic is to deny this sacramental reality and makes one ineligible to be a godparent or sponsor. For information on bringing your marriage into the Church (convalidate), please contact Maxim Farrell.
How to Submit Sponsor Paperwork
Email a scan or high quality photo of the Confirmation certificate, marriage certificate, and signed sponsor agreement to Emily Curran. You can also contact the parish where the sacraments took place and request that a copy be sent directly to St. Mary Magdalen. Please include a note stating who the Confirmation Candidate is.
Do not delay! Failure to submit the proper documents will make you ineligible to be a sponsor.
Sponsors should contact their church of record immediately if they do not already have these documents on hand, especially if the sacraments were received outside the US.
If it is impossible to gather certificates because of dire circumstances in other countries, like natural disaster or war, please contact the parish office.