Confirmation Overview
In Confirmation, you will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit and His gifts, preparing you for your ministry and renewed commitment to Christ. This Holy Spirit is the Counselor promised to us by Christ Himself when He said, “If you love me, you will keep my Commandment. And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you” (Jn 14:16-17).
Jesus gave the Apostles His Holy Spirit after His Resurrection when He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22). We receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism when we are Baptized “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” But in Confirmation, we complete what we started in baptism and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1285).
Confirmation more perfectly unites you to Christ (CCC 1309), and prepares you for a familiarity with the Holy Spirit, His actions, gifts, and bidding (CCC 1309). The Sacrament of Confirmation more perfectly binds you with Christ’s Church as well (CCC 1309) and all Her members throughout the ages. By your Confirmation, you will become a Christian witness (CCC 1304, 1317), and will be responsible for preaching and defending the true faith (CCC 1295). You will also accept for yourself the responsibility of continuing your education in the faith and practicing your religion (CCC 1295).
What are the effects of Confirmation?
- We receive a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as at Pentecost (CCC 1302).
- We partake more fully in the divine filiation, the family of God (CCC 1303):
- We are united more firmly to Christ.
- We receive an increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- We are bound with the Church more perfectly.
- We are strengthened to spread and defend the faith.
- We are given the grace to confess the name of Christ boldly and never be ashamed of the Cross.
- We are given an indelible, permanent mark as a witness of Christ on our soul (CCC 1304).
- We share more perfectly in the common priesthood of the faithful, which helps us to profess our faith publicly and officially for ourselves (CCC 1305).
CCC=Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph number
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
In Confirmation, you will receive the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts help us to be holy. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
- WISDOM – infused gift to give a delight for the things of God and to direct our whole life and all our actions to His honor and glory. Also makes the soul responsive to God in the contemplation of divine things; goes beyond simple knowledge of the beliefs to a certain divine penetration of the truths themselves.
- UNDERSTANDING – infused gift to allow the mind to grasp revealed truths easily and profoundly with insight into the meaning of these truths.
- KNOWLEDGE – infused gift to give a person the ability to judge everything from a supernatural viewpoint. As a result, a person can see the providential purpose of whatever enters his/her life, interact with people and things properly according to God’s will, and discern easily and effectively between the impulses of temptation and the inspirations of grace.
- COUNSEL – infused gift to enable a person to determine promptly and rightly what should be done, especially in difficult situations. This primarily refers to one’s own choices/behavior.
- FORTITUDE – infused gift to give a person unusual courage and a special strength of will, including an extraordinary readiness to undergo trials for love of God.
- PIETY – infused gift to give a person loyalty to God and the things of God; enables a person to see God as a loving Father and act toward Him with generous love and affectionate obedience.
FEAR OF THE LORD – infused gift to inspire a person with profound respect for the majesty of God.
STEP 1: DISCERN
- Are you ready to be Confirmed - to live as a disciple of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit? Confirmation is a commitment and an empowerment, it is not a rite of passage or graduation from religious ed. It is the sacrament of mission and power, giving Christians the strength and grace to live out the mission of Jesus Christ and His Church.
Before pursuing this sacrament, here are a few questions you should consider:
- Do you desire to receive this sacrament? Perhaps you’re unsure right now, and that’s okay. But you need to make that decision before being Confirmed.
- Can you confidently renew your baptismal promises?
- Do you attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation? Do you seek God in prayer and strive to live as a disciple? And if you’re not, are you willing to make that commitment?
STEP 2: COMMIT BY APRIL 25
- Select a Sponsor or Mentor: Each confirmation candidate must select a sponsor. This person is a representative of the Catholic community who agrees to mentor the candidate throughout this process and presents the candidate to the bishop at the Confirmation Mass. A sponsor should be someone who not only models the Christian life but can also challenge you to grow in it. To be eligible, the person must be a baptized, confirmed, and practicing Catholic who is in good standing. A student may not choose a parent.
View guide for choosing a sponsor. - Register by April 25: Before you register, you will need to know your sponsor's name and contact information, baptismal date, church, and city. If you were baptized at a parish other than St. Bernard, Christ King, or St. Pius X, you will need to scan and submit a copy of your baptism certificate. There is a $150 fee, financial aid available. https://triparishcgs.regfox.com/confirmation-registration-2024
STEP 3: ATTEND KICKOFF MEETING
- Sign Up For Your Kickoff Meeting: This 90-min meeting is the necessary first step for both you and your sponsor. At this meeting you will receive your materials and set you up for success this summer. If your sponsor is not local, we can meet over zoom on a separate date.
- https://calendly.com/tomasovici-christkingparish/confirmation-kickoff-meeting
STEP 4: MEET WITH YOUR SPONSOR & HALF-WAY CHECK IN
- TIMES: These meetings are scheduled on your own time/location. They may be done at the parish, in a coffee shop/public place, or over Zoom (if necessary).
- CONTENT: Each sponsor and each student will receive a booklet that provides discussion questions, prayer prompts, and video intros for each of the 5 additional meetings. Meetings are designed to be 60-75 minutes in length.
- PRAYER & SERVICE EXPERIENCES: Each duo are also asked to complete a service and prayer experience. If your sponsor is not able to serve alongside you or join you in prayer, you may complete this with another person or on your own.
- ACCOUNTABILITY: Accountability: each student is responsible for recording when they met with their sponsor and having their sponsor sign off on it. This will be turned in at the wrap-up meeting.
- HALF-WAY CHECK IN BONFIRE: Come to our summer bonfire to be in the community with your small group from the year. July 5 or July 19.
STEP 5: COME ON CONFIRMATION RETREAT
- REQUIRED. CHOOSE ONE OF THESE WEEKENDS:
- Option 1: August 29-31
- Options 2: September 26-28
- Location: Pallottine Retreat Center, Elkhorn WI
- No phones allowed
- Waiver signed
STEP 6: MAKE THE COMMITMENT
- Wrap Up Meeting: In September, schedule a one-on-one meeting with a member of our Confirmation team. This 15-minute meeting will serve as a “wrap-up” of the preparation process and will solidify your request and commitment to receive this sacrament. At this point, students should have completed all of their preparation with their sponsor and be able to make a commitment to live a Christian life of discipleship.
STEP 6: RECEIVE
- November 2, 6:30–8:30pm – Closing Vigil: The Sunday before Confirmation, candidates and sponsors will gather for final preparation. This evening will include a potluck dinner, prayer, and a rehearsal. Required for both Candidates and Sponsors.
- Confirmation Mass: Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 7pm at Christ King with Bishop Haines, Reception to Follow!
For Fall 2025 Confirmation
- April 25: Registration Deadline, register here
- Kickoff Meeting: Attend with Sponsor, sign up here
- At this event you will receive your materials, and all the information you need to get you started.
- Tues, Apr. 29, 6:30-8pm [OR] Thurs, May 1, 6:30-8pm
- Wed, May 7, 6:30-8pm [OR] Sat, May 10, 9-10:30am
- Thurs, May 15, 6-7:30pm [OR] Sun, May 18, 8:50-10:15am
- May-October: Meet with your sponsor/mentor 5-7 times.
- Bonfire Check-In: July 5 [OR] July 19
- Sept 16-29 - Wrap Up Meeting: Schedule a one-on-one meeting with a member of our Confirmation team. This 15 minute meeting will serve as a “wrap-up” of the preparation process and will solidify your request and commitment to receive this sacrament. Candidates will turn in their final forms showing they have completed their preparation.
- Sunday, November 2, 6:30-8:30pm: Confirmation Evening Vigil: Required for both Candidates and Sponsors. Potluck dinner, prayer, and rehearsal.
- Tuesday, November 4, 7pm: Confirmation Mass at Christ King with Bishop Haines