“Confirmation… reinforces the baptismal incorporation into Christ and the Church and the consecration to the prophetic, royal and priestly mission. It communicates the abundance of the gifts of the Spirit. … If, therefore, Baptism is the Sacrament of birth, Confirmation is the Sacrament of growth. For this very reason it is also the Sacrament of witness, because this is closely linked to the maturity of Christian existence”.
-Pope Francis; October 30, 2024
General Information
Registration for school age Confirmation preparation 2026-2027 closes August 31, 2026.
In accordance with the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Pastorate of St. John and St. Joseph invites candidates as young as 4th grade to begin the preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation, with the following considerations:
- Must have completed first sacraments.
- Confirmation preparation for students grades 4-12 is a family preparation process. A parent or guardian is an essential part of all sacrament preparation and must be present for each session.
- In addition to immediate preparation for the sacrament, any student in 4th and 5th grade must have a prior year of faith formation (pastorate program or Catholic school) and be actively involved in faith formation as they prepare for Confirmation.
- New this year: students in grades 4-12 will prepare in mixed age level groups. This allows families with students of various ages to prepare for the sacrament together.
Students in grades 6-8 are highly encouraged to join our middle school youth ministry (MSYM) group – this is open to any middle school student in the pastorate.
Students in grades 9-12 are highly encouraged to join our youth group – open to any high school student. Please contact Megan McQuin megan.mcquin@stjohn-frederick.org with any questions.
Confirmation preparation for adults is a separate process. Please contact Amy Spessard amy.spessard@stjohn-frederick.org for more information.
Confirmation Preparation Information
Confirmation Preparation is available to families that are currently registered in the Pastorate.
Before registering, please review the schedule for each group. When registering, select the group that best suits your family schedule. If a family misses a session, the student will be bumped to the next semester for preparation – there is NO make-up work available for Confirmation preparation.
2026-2027 Calendars/Calendarios 2026/2027
Before registering, please review the schedule for each group. When registering, select the group that best suits your family schedule. If a family misses a session, the student will be bumped to the next semester for preparation – there is NO make-up work available for Confirmation preparation.
PLEASE NOTE:
The following classes are already full:
– Confirmation Group A is full
– 2nd Grade St Joseph is full.
Group A - FULL
Group B
Group C
Group D
Frequently Asked Questions
My child is entering 4th grade but was not enrolled in faith formation or in Catholic school last year. Can I register him for Confirmation?
Not in the 4th grade year. To prepare your child for Confirmation, register him for faith formation ONLY for his 4th grade year. When he is in 5th grade, register him for faith formation AND Confirmation.
My child is baptized, entering 4th grade and was enrolled in faith formation or Catholic school, but has not received first sacraments (First Reconciliation/First Communion). Can I register her for Confirmation?
To prepare your child for first sacraments AND Confirmation, please register them for OCIA.
My child is baptized, entering 4th grade, has not been involved in faith formation or Catholic school and has not received first sacraments (First Reconciliation/First Communion). What do we do?
To prepare your child for first sacraments AND Confirmation, please register them for OCIA.
I have multiple children between 4th and 12th grade. How are they prepared for Confirmation?
This is a FAMILY focused preparation process. You can register all children between 4th and 12th grade for the same preparation group and attend classes as a family.
REMINDER: Parents MUST attend all classes WITH their child/children.
Can my 3rd grade student come?
Students younger than 4th grade are welcome to join their families for the preparation classes, however they will not receive materials and are not eligible to be confirmed. They will have to take the preparation classes once they are in 4th grade (or older).
Does my child need a sponsor if I am attending classes with him?
YES. A sponsor, like a godparent at Baptism, journeys with the candidate (your child), witnessing to and sharing the faith and serves as a representative of the Christian community who vouches for the candidate’s readiness to receive the sacrament. For more information on the requirements to be a sponsor, please see below.
Our family missed a class. What now?
The Confirmation team will be in contact with you. The remainder of your preparation will move to the next semester, and your child’s preparation will resume with the class that was missed and continue through to completion. Classes must be completed in sequential order. THERE IS NO MAKE-UP WORK.
Do we really have to go to Mass every week?
YES.
Sponsor Information
Who can be a sponsor?
Sponsors must be practicing members of the Roman Catholic Church and are asked to obtain a certificate of eligibility from their home parish certifying their eligibility to serve as sponsors.
Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
- Have completed the sixteenth year of age.
- Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life in harmony with the faith that is to be undertaken.
- If married, the marriage is recognized by the Catholic Church
- Be active and practice the Catholic faith by attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
- May not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
What is the role of a sponsor?
A sponsor, like a godparent at Baptism, journeys with the candidate (your child), witnessing to and sharing the faith and serves as a representative of the Christian community who stands with the candidate on the day of Confirmation and vouches for the candidate’s readiness to receive the sacrament. More information about the role of a sponsor is given to sponsors at the sponsor zoom meetings during the preparation year.
What paperwork does my sponsor need?
After selecting a sponsor, your sponsor will need to complete an eligibility form. IF your sponsor is a member of St. John or St. Joseph, you can find that form HERE. (or HERE in Spanish). If your sponsor is a parishioner at another Catholic church, they will need to get this form from their parish.