Concord-Carlisle Catholic Collaborative
Holy Family & St. Irene

Carlisle, MA

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Teen Confirmation Preparation

- Confirmation Preparation Process
  
  All teens preparing for Confirmation should:
  A. Attend scheduled sessions and complete Home Faith Reflections (online forms) to make up missed sessions. All teens receiving Confirmation should complete the specific sessions related to Confirmation preparation.
  B. Complete online steps (website buttons below) and schedule meetings with Tony for Confirmation Conversations. These conversations are meant to discuss where each teen is at in his or her own faith journey, and happen near the beginning of the process and immediately prior to receiving Confirmation.
  C. Choose a Confirmation sponsor (more below), and possibly choose a name - indicate in Step 2.
  D. Participate in opportunities for ministry and mission.
  E. Attend one Confirmation retreat (sign up in Step 2)
  Tony wants to thank Gates D., CA '15, for his excellent artwork that continues to bless this ministry.
- Confirmation Step 2 Sponsor Information Retreat and Name Choice
- Confirmation Step 1 Request to Receive Confirmation (updated for 2026 Confirmation)
- Confirmation Step 3 Preparation Conclusion Questions, and Renewal of Baptismal Promises
- Confirmation Sponsors Information and Lnks
- Confirmation Names Information and Links
- Confirmation Mass Clothing and Other Guidance
- Confirmation Resources Videos and Additional Resources
Confirmation Preparation Overview
- Background Information
  
  When teens receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Boston, it is frequently offered at the conclusion of a preparatory program. In the Concord-Carlisle Catholic Collaborative, prerequisite discipleship formation precedes immediate Confirmation sacramental preparation. Together, this is Faith Formation.
  
  Usually Confirmation takes place at the conclusion of these preparations in the spring. Anyone in grades 8 and higher who seeks to commit himself or herself to being a life-long follower of Jesus is encouraged to prepare for Confirmation.
  
  Teens attending Catholic High Schools should speak with Tony Carbrello, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, about participating only in the immediate Confirmation sacramental preparation process, though the teen would be encouraged to participate throughout all of the collaborative's Youth Ministry.
Confirmation Sponsors and Choosing a Confirmation Name
- Requirements for Confirmation Sponsors:
  
  The Code of Canon Law (Church Law) specifies the requirements for serving as a sponsor at Confirmation (Canon 893) are the same as those for godparents at Baptism (Canon 874): a sponsor may not be the parent of the person being confirmed, a sponsor must be at least 16 years old, a sponsor must be fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) in the Catholic church, a sponsor should live a life of active faith in the Catholic Church, and if married a sponsor needs to be in valid Catholic marriage.
  
  It is preferred that a baptismal Godparent will be the Confirmation sponsor, although ultimately the choice of sponsor is that of the candidate, who may choose someone who meets the qualifications above.
  
  While it is preferable that sponsors attend the Confirmation liturgy, it is possible to have a “proxy” stand in for the absentee sponsor (this "proxy" could be a parent). This has always been the case, but has been more common due to the pandemic.
  
  Confirmation sponsors will be communicated with directly by the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Tony.
- Choosing a Confirmation Name
  
  Your name gives you your identity. It tells others who you are. When you were baptized, your parents chose your name.
  It is a common custom, though not required, for someone to choose to be Confirmed under the name of a Saint or figure from the bible at the time of their Confirmation. This occurs in the bible when a significant change happens in a person: Abram becomes Abraham, Jacob becomes Israel, and Saul becomes Paul, to name a few.
  
  How you use this Confirmation name is up to the candidate, though it would be the name by which a candidate is presented to the Bishop during the Rite of Anointing portion of the sacrament of Confirmation.
  
  Catholic.org
  Franciscan Media
- Confirmation Mass Information
  
  Confirmation Mass 2026
  Confirmation 2026 will be held on Friday, May 8 at 7:00pm. Candidates and sponsors will be expected to arrive at 6:15pm.
  There will be a Confirmation rehearsal for candidates and sponsors beforehand (day/time to be determined). The rehearsal may be be followed by a dinner for candidates and sponsors, organized by the group of teens who will receive Confirmation in the spring of 2027.
  Confirmation will be celebrated by Bishop Reed (Auxiliary Bishop for our region) at St. Bernard Church of Holy Family Parish (given its larger size to accommodate the number of candidates we project having). This Confirmation Mass is for both Holy Family and St. Irene parishes in our collaborative.
  
  Candidates and sponsors will sit together in reserved pews, with most pews in the church available as open seating for family, friends, and guests.
  
  Due to the timing of the Confirmation Mass, candidates and attendees are advised to have some food prior to attending (we don't want anyone to pass out).
  
  Please note that St. Bernard Church is air-conditioned.
  
  Parking is somewhat limited in the parking lot behind the church. Additional public parking is located around the Church. Please allow extra time to arrive, park, and get to Church.
  
  What Should I Wear for Confirmation?
  
  Candidates for Confirmation and their families often ask about what clothing is appropriate for the ceremony. It is suggested that you think of what you would wear for Easter Mass, than be one step more dressy. Hair should be prepared to keep the forehead open, as the Bishop will be making a cross with oil on the forehead. Please do not wear a hat, as even dress hats often get in the way. There should be no gum or food in the church.
  
  Guys’ Details:
  Suits are fine, sport jacket is good, neither is necessary.
  Nice pants, can be khakis, but no jeans, no cargo pants.
  Collared shirt, better if it’s a dress shirt.
  Ties are fine (with appropriate content).
  Dress shoes – no sneakers.
  
  Girls’ Details:
  Comfortable dress shoes, but with no big heels, as they are too easy to trip on.
  Skirts and dresses are fine, but not required, and please be mindful of modesty.
  Conservative makeup.
  Flowers are fine.
- The Age of Confirmation Is Changing in the Archdiocese of Boston
  
  Click here for more information!
- Confirmation Videos
  
  Tony offers the following videos for information, perspective, and some humor. Enjoy!
  
  The first video explains some of the meaning behind the sacrament of Confirmation, but also gives plenty of visual examples of teens coming forward to be anointed by the Bishop. In our case, Bishop Reed will ask for only a name and offer peace to the candidate – there will be no handshake or conversation before or after the anointing.
Informational Videos About Confirmation