Confirmation Program

Learn more here about the Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation is a two-year program generally completed in Grades 7 and 8 in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Currently, older students should consider the OCIA program.

Program Requirements: 

The program has several required elements. In each of the two years, students

1. Attend class,
2. Attend Mass regularly and at each class submit reflections on the readings and homily that they experience, and
3. Complete service events at St. Mary’s to help build up the Church and participate in her good works.

Classes meet every other week during the school year beginning in October and ending in May and we offer two sessions on different nights to provide flexibility. The structure is large group instruction often accompanied by a video, and small group discussions led by volunteer adults. Attendance is important and students will need to make up any missed classes.

At each class, students must submit a Mass Reflection Sheet where students share their thoughts on the weekly Mass readings.

Service Event opportunities at St. Mary’s are communicated by our Religious Education office, usually as a SignUpGenius so please watch your email. Some examples include: helping at Donuts, Juice and Coffee, helping to set up for our annual Barbecue or Pasta Dinner, and serving at our Lenten Suppers.

MSYG and TGIF service opportunities may also count towards Confirmation requirements.

The Confirmation Coordinators tell the students how many events they need at the beginning of the year. Don’t forget to complete the forms recording your service – they are available on the wall outside the Religious Education Office.

Grade 7 ~ Confirmation 1:

Students focus on forming a personal relationship with Christ and commitment in Faith to His Gospel teachings.

Students further their understanding of the Incarnation of Christ, the call to holiness, the call to mission, the Paschal Mystery, Salvation and Redemption, the Holy Trinity, the Four Marks of the Church and Her Precepts.

Using both individual and communal prayer, students work on developing the habits of Catholic Christian prayer.

Students refine their understanding of the Seven Sacraments and, building on the foundation of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, learn how to live the Catholic Christian Moral Life.

Classes meet on Tuesday or Wednesday on alternating weeks from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Fr. Haley Hall.

Grade 8 ~ Confirmation 2:

Confirmation 2 focuses on the immediate preparation for Reception of Confirmation with review and deeper study on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church.

Students gain further understanding of the Rite of Confirmation including the

• Renewal of their Baptismal Promises,
• The seal of the Holy Spirit and anointing with Chrism oil,
• The role of the Sponsor, and
• The commitment to living as a follower of Jesus, the moral life, participating in the life of the Church, and accepting the role as Christians proclaiming Christ to the world as Priest, Prophet, and King.

Classes meet on Monday or Thursday on alternating weeks from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Fr. Haley Hall.

Eligible Confirmation Sponsor Requirements:

Prior to your Confirmation Day you will be asked to select a Sponsor who will stand with you and present you to the Bishop. You may not choose either of your parents. Since this role involves serving as a role model of Catholic life and moral teaching, it is expected that the sponsor be practicing the Catholic faith both in worship and manner of life. The Sponsor Requirements are found in Canon Law, specifically Canons 874, 892 and 893.

The Sponsor Form  describes the requirements and asks the Sponsor to attest that they meet these requirements fully. Sponsors who can truthfully answer YES to all of the requirements are asked to have their form signed and sealed by their parish priest and return it to the Religious Education Office at St. Mary’s by Easter, this year April 5, 2026.

Please note that Sponsors who are also registered Parishioners at St. Mary’s should make an appointment with Fr. Mark to have their sponsor form signed. Please call the rectory at 508-429-4427.