Confirmation

Our new Inquiry Phase for the 2025-26 Year begins this month. If your child is in 7th grade or older and has not yet been Confirmed, you may begin the process by attending one of our required meetings for parent and child to be Confirmed:

It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. From this fact, Confirmation  brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which  makes us cry, “Abba! Father!”; it unites us more firmly to Christ; it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit  in us; it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit  to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of  Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross (CCC 1302-1303). 

Who can receive Confirmation? 

This sacrament is for baptized Catholics who have not yet been confirmed. The practice of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and  Minneapolis is to confirm youth between the eighth and eleventh grades. At Saint Joseph, we begin preparation following seventh grade. Preparation for the sacrament is open to our registered parishioners. Those who are registered at other parishes are encouraged to receive the sacraments at their home parish as a way of strengthening their relationship with their parish community. 

What does preparation look like?  

Preparation for Confirmation centers on helping our youth to discern their readiness and desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation by intentionally living the Christian life. Our goal is to help our young people prepare to: 

1) profess the faith, 

2) have the intention of receiving the sacrament, 

3) and assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ in the Church and in the world. 

This happens in three phases, each of which aims to bring our youth to a greater embrace of the  Christian life and a greater desire for Confirmation: the Inquiry Phase, the Candidacy Phase, and  the Elect Phase.  

Three critical aspects of preparation are attending Mass every Sunday, keeping a Mass journal, and participating in a Discipleship Group – a small group geared toward bringing our real lives and our whole selves to Christ in order to learn to live as his disciples. These groups meet concurrently with our high school discipleship groups, typically every other Wednesday. Additionally, Confirmation candidates attend some daytime retreats and some evenings of reflection with their parents. 

Children who attend Saint Joseph’s school receive additional instruction and formation that augment their preparation, contribute to their life of prayer, and help them live the Christian life joy fully and well. Please contact the faith formation office if you would like information about enrolling your child in our school. 

When does preparation happen?

Our three phases of preparation will generally look like this:
I. Inquiry Phase (May to October)
II. Candidacy Phase (October to May)
III. Elect Phase (May to Fall Confirmation)

This process can begin as early as May of seventh grade and culminate as early as the Fall of ninth grade, but this timing isn’t necessary. Youth can begin any time between the end of seventh grade and the end of tenth grade.

How can I register?
We will reach out to families in our parish registry in January of each year to alert them to registration for Confirmation. Parents of seventh grade students should be on the lookout for that information. If you would like to ensure that you will receive our communications, please contact Jenny in the Faith Formation office.
+ 651.457.8841
+ [email protected].

What if I have more questions?
Contact Anna Evans, Director of Youth Life and
Formation:
+ 651.789.8352
+ [email protected].