“The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. It imprints a character, enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to the Church.” CIC, c. 879
In January of 2024, Cardinal Seán approved a proposal to lower the ordinary age of Confirmation from Grade 10 to Grade 8. Lowering the age of Confirmation is a recognition that the experience of young people and their families has changed in recent years. Students in middle school are equipped to receive sacramental instruction and will benefit from receiving the sacramental grace and outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit before high school.
By making this change Cardinal Seán hopes to facilitate a renewal in family engagement in the life of the parish, especially Sunday Mass, and a renewal of youth ministry within parishes, that goes beyond sacramental preparation.
For 2024-2025, we will offer Confirmation Preparation programs for students in Grades 8, 9, and 10 (and older.) All students enrolled in these programs will be scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of 2025.
Beginning with the 2025-2026 Religious Education year, the ordinary age of Confirmation Preparation will be Grade 8. (We will, of course, offer Confirmation Preparation for students in older grades who have not yet received the sacrament.)
For more background and information on this change, please visit Confirmation Age Change – Information from the Archdiocese page.
Confirmation Preparation for Grades 8-10
The Eucharist – the Sacrifice of the Mass – is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” The liturgy is the high point of our lives as Catholic Christians and is the source from which we find strength to live as Christ’s people. From this celebration of the Eucharist we are sent in mission, ready to glorify God by our lives.
As such, all of our faith formation centers around the full, active participation of our children, youth, and families in the celebration of the Mass. Our Sunday 5pm Youth Mass is the centerpiece of our Confirmation preparation program. From the music, to the homilies, to the Spirit-filled sense of vibrancy and joy, the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass is designed to touch the hearts and minds of our young people and draw them closer to God and the Church.
Classroom work supplements participation in the Sunday liturgy, and fosters in our students a well-developed understanding of the faith. Classes meet as scheduled around the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass.
A Spiritual Retreat assists the candidates in becoming people of prayer, and is integral to the preparation for the Sacrament.
The Christian Service component of the program challenges the candidates to model Jesus’ life of service. These projects help to foster an understanding of the centrality of service in the Christian life.
As always, parents are the primary educators of their children, and our Religious Education programs serve to support and enhance their important mission.
2024-2025 Class Details
GRADE 8 & 9 CONFIRMATION PROGRAM
Sunday evenings following the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass (6:00 – 7:30pm) as scheduled at both St. John and St. Paul (see Calendar for dates and locations.)
Meets in Powers Hall at St. John (lower level of St. John the Evangelist Church) and in St. Paul Hall (in the parking lot behind St. Paul Church.)
CONFIRMATION 2/GRADE 10 PROGRAM
Sunday evenings following the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass (6:00 – 7:30pm) as scheduled (see Calendar for dates.)
All classes are held in the St. John Parish Center (39 Washington Street – the building shares the parking lot with St. John school and is the building closest to the street.) The Pizza & Prayer component of the evening is held in the Regan Room on the lower level of the building.
2024-2025 Confirmation Retreat and Ceremony Details
For More Information
Please email Linda Messore at linda.messore@sjspwellesley.org