Resources Confirmation

Confirmation Age Change Information

The Cardinal has decided to lower the normal age of reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Boston from around the age of 16 (or 10^th or 11^th grade) to around the ages of 13-14 (or 8^th grade).

The text of the official decree implementing the change is available at this link and updated Confirmation guidelines are now available at this link.

Confirmation dates – It is expected that it will be possible for parishes to request additional Confirmation dates with Episcopal Vicars and Bishops through May 2027.  While it is also possible for pastors to request delegation to convey the sacrament of Confirmation to account for the need for additional Confirmations, the preference is to request additional dates.

The expected phase-in period is 3 years and pastors have discretion on how they may wish to manage the change in their parishes until May 1, 2027.

January 18, 2024 Letter from the Cardinal

Archdiocese to lower confirmation age to eighth grade

Confirmation Age Change FAQ for Parents

The Cardinal has decided to lower the normal age of reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Boston from around the age of 16 (or 10^th or 11^th grade) to around the ages of 13-14 (or 8^th grade).

If you have particular concerns or questions as a parent, parish faith formation leader, or member of the clergy which you would like to see addressed in this FAQ document that are not at this time then please do not hesitate to contact us – contact info is available in the bottom tab on the left.

Parents, families, and Confirmation candidates – please understand that your parishes did not receive notice of this change before you did and that they need time to discern and implement a plan for this change in your parish.

The expected phase-in period is 3 years and pastors have discretion on how they may wish to manage the change in their parishes until May 1, 2027.

January 18, 2024 Letter from the Cardinal

Archdiocese to lower confirmation age to eighth grade

Confirmation: Suggested Transition Timelines

Parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston have until May 1, 2027, to complete their transition from the normal age of Confirmation being around the age of 15-16 (grades 10-11) to around the age of 13-14 (grade 8). Pastors of parishes may exercise their discretion in how they manage the transition period between 2024 and May 2027.   

• Some parishes have indicated that they will not be making any changes within the next year in order to prepare and plan for implementing this change.   
• Some parishes have begun designing and implementing a period of transition to the new normative age to implement over time. 
• Some parishes have chosen to offer Confirmation to more young people starting in the  spring of 2024 with the intention of adjusting to the new normative age sooner rather than later.  

Parish leaders have requested some suggested models or timelines for implementing this transition.  Here below are three possible models for consideration, roughly following the transition plans mentioned above.

3-Year Confirmation Transition Process

• Overview
  • 1 Confirmation date in 2025, up to 2 in 2026, and up to 2 in 2027
• 2025
  • Confirmation of 10^th graders (who are in 9^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025 as usual
• 2026
  • Confirmation of 10^th graders (who are in 8^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026 as usual
  • Confirmation of 9^th graders (who are in 7^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026
    • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in spring or fall 2026 depending upon the number of candidates
•  2027
  • Confirmation of 9^th graders (who are in 6^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2027
    • Confirmation of 8^th graders (who are in 5^th grade in 2024) in 2027
      • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in 2027 depending on the number of candidates

2-Year Confirmation Transition Process

• Overview
  • 1 Confirmation date in 2025, up to 2 in 2026, 1 in 2027 and after
• 2025
  • Confirmation of 10^th graders (who are in 9^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025 as usual
  • Confirmation of 9^th graders (who are in 8^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025
    • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in spring or fall 2025 depending upon the number of candidates
• 2026
  • Confirmation of 8^th graders (who are in 6^th grade in 2024) and 9^th graders (who are in 7^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026
    • May require requesting 1 additional Confirmation date in spring or fall 2025 depending upon the number of candidates
• 2027
  • Confirmation of 8^th graders (who are in 5^th grade in 2024) in 2027

1-Year Confirmation Transition Process

• Overview
  • Up to 3 Confirmation dates in 2025, 1 in 2026 and after
• 2025
  • Confirmation of 8^th graders (who are in 7^th grade in 2024), 9^th graders (who are in 8^th grade in 2024), and 10^th graders (who are in 9^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2025
    • After a period of preparation in 2024-2025
    • May require requesting 2 additional Confirmation dates in spring or fall 2025 depending upon the number of candidates in each grade
• 2026
  • Confirmation of 8^th graders (who are in 6^th grade in 2024) in spring or fall 2026
  • Transition has been completed in 2 years
• 2027
  • Confirmation of 8^th graders (who are in 5^th grade in 2024) in 2027

Confirmation: Suggested Program of Formation

This document provides a brief overview which can be used as a guide for preparing candidates of any age for Confirmation.  It should be adapted depending upon the circumstances of the candidates – their age, previous formation, and other similar factors. Some candidates may have already received extensive catechetical formation and be actively practicing the habits of the Christian life. Some candidates may have received little previous catechetical formation and may not be actively practicing their faith. A parish must consider how best to account for these differences through the formation it offers. For more information on required confirmation preparation timelines, please see the decree announcing the change in the normative age of reception and the Archdiocesan Confirmation guidelines document.

Any program of formation should not be limited to catechetical or academic formation but also include invitation and instruction in how to participate in the life of the Church as an expression of lived faith in the person of Jesus Christ.  It should not be expected that candidates for Confirmation have memorized particular prayers or information on the Christian life such that they might be able to repeat them back or pass a test on the information below.  The expectation is that candidates have an earnest desire for the sacrament, openness to living a Christian life, and have been exposed to some of the information and practices below at some point leading up to or during their preparation. 

General Formation Leading up to Confirmation Preparation: 

1. Personal Commitment to Faith in Jesus Christ 
   1. Who is Jesus Christ and what is His Good News?
   2. Incarnation, Ministry, Paschal Mystery, Mission, Salvation/Redemption
   3. Review of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit 
2.  Having a Catholic Prayer Life 
   1. Developing habits of Catholic Christian prayer
      1. Including both individual and communal prayer
   2.  Introduction to types of Christian Prayer such as 
      1. Rote Prayer 
      2. Prayer with Scripture  
      3. Liturgical Prayer 
      4. Intercessory Prayer  
      5. Devotional Prayer 
      6. Meditative Prayer 
      7. Extemporaneous Prayer 
3.  Belonging to the Catholic Church 
   1. The four marks of the Church 
   2. The mission of the Church 
4. Encountering Christ in the Sacraments 
   1. Understanding the Seven Sacraments 
   2. Sacraments of Initiation, Healing, and Service 
5. Living the Catholic Christian Moral Life 
   1. Catholic Moral Life 
      1. 10 Commandments 
      2. The Beatitudes 
   2. Catholic Social Teaching 
      1. Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy 
6. Regular Reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion 
   1. What is reconciliation and why is it necessary and important? 
   2. The Rite of Penance: Examination of Conscience, Contrition, Confession, Absolution, Penance 
   3. What is the Eucharist?  How can we encounter Christ in the Eucharist and at Mass?  Why is regular attendance at Mass necessary and important? 
   4. Understanding the Mass: Introductory Rite, Penitential Rite, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Dismissal

Immediate Preparation for Reception of Confirmation: 

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?   
   1. Gifts of the Holy Spirit 
   2. Fruits of the Holy Spirit 
   3. Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church 
   4. Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of every Christian 
2. The Sacrament of Confirmation 
   1. The Rite of Confirmation 
   2. Renewal of Baptismal Promises  
   3. Laying on of Hands 
   4. Anointing with Chrism Being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit
   5. Role of the Sponsor 
3. Life After Confirmation 
   1. Living as a follower of Jesus: sacramental life, prayer life, moral life, and Christian community 
   2. Participating in the life of the Church 
   3. Accepting your role as being on mission to proclaim Christ to the world 
   4. Understanding the role of the Baptized as Priest, Prophet, and King

Curricula Currently Under Review

We are currently in the process of reviewing the various available curricula for preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation for those in grades 6-8.  We welcome your suggestions  and feedback, in particular regarding the following:

• Ascension Press – Chosen (Eng, Span)
• Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries – Zeal
• Ignatius Press – Image of God: Spreading and Defending the Faith: Confirmation
• Ignatius Press – YouCat Confirmation Book and Handbook
• Life Teen – Purpose
• Loyola Press – Adaptive Confirmation Preparation Kit
• Loyola Press – Confirmed in the Spirit (Eng, Span)
• Midwest Theological Forum – The Sacrament of Confirmation
• Our Sunday Visitor – Call to Celebrate Confirmation for Younger Adolescents
• Sadlier – Believe Celebrate Live: Confirmation (Eng, Span)
• Saint Mary’s Press – Anointed in the Spirit
• Saint Mary’s Press – Called to Mercy
• Sophia Institute Press – Sealed in Fire Confirmation Preparation Student and Teacher
• YDisciple – Confirmation Bible Study
• YDisciple – Never Alone: Life with the Holy Spirit (Download – DVD+Book)

Requests for Exceptions to the Normal Age of Confirmation

It is possible for individual people and parishes to request exceptions to the normative age of reception of the sacrament of Confirmation at age 13-14 in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. 

Please see below for information on what to include in such a request as a parish or individual candidate.

Parish Requests for Exceptions to the Normal Age of Confirmation

Parishes, collaboratives of parishes, and particular cultural communities may request to continue offering Confirmation at the age of 16. Requests are taken seriously but will be granted in limited and particular circumstances only. Requests from parishes, collaboratives, or communities should include: 

• A brief description of your current confirmation preparation process including information on the curriculum used; the expectations or requirements placed on candidates, sponsors, and families; the faith formation leaders and catechists involved; the typical average and current number of participants; how you define success for your preparation process; and information on how you are monitoring that success 
• A brief description of your grades 1-8 faith formation offerings including information on the curriculum, expectations for participants and families, and structure of paid and volunteer leadership 
• A brief description of your high school youth ministry offerings including information on the goal, structure, participants, and leadership 
• An explanation for why you believe maintaining reception of Confirmation at the age of 16 for your parish, collaborative, or community is in the best interests of your parish and the candidates for Confirmation with a particular emphasis on their continued engagement in the life of the faith, growth in discipleship, and participation in the parish or faith community. 

Please submit requests in writing addressed to Bishop Cristiano Barbosa and send them to Patrick Krisak at pkrisak@rcab.org and Diane Campbell at dcampbell@rcab.org. 

Individual Requests for Exceptions to the Normal Age of Confirmation

Individual people (preferably in cooperation with their families) aged 7 to 13 may submit a request to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation before the normal age of 13-14 to their parish pastor. Pastors should take such requests seriously but may or may not grant them. Pastors are welcome but not required to consult their regional Episcopal Vicar or the Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship when considering such requests.

Requests from individual candidates should include: 

• A brief personal and spiritual biography – please include your name, age, school, parish, a brief description of personal and family habits of prayer, mention of personal hobbies or interests, and some information about personal and family participation in aspects of Christian life including but not limited to activity in your parish
   
• Indication of support from your parents/guardians and family, if possible, which can be noted in the request from the candidate or included as a separate letter
   
• Indication of support from your parish faith formation leader or catechist, if possible, which can be noted in the request from the candidate or included as a separate letter
   
• An explanation for why you are making this request and your understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation 

Confirmation: Key Church Documents

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Code of Canon Law
• Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
• Age of Confirmation: When Local and Universal Law Conflict
• The Order of Confirmation within Mass
• FDLC: Best Practices for the Celebration of Confirmation

Confirmation Listening Sessions

The Archdiocese of Boston hosted 7 listening sessions in February and March 2024 with parish clergy and faith formation leaders to hear from them on the following questions:

• What does it mean to be prepared to receive the sacrament of Confirmation?
• What opportunities does this change present for family and youth ministry in your parish?
• How can the archdiocese support you throughout implementing this change?

A summary of what we heard at those sessions is available at this link.

Faith Formation Leader Resources