Baptised Catholic but never Confirmed?
If you were baptised Catholic but have never received the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are very welcome to complete your Christian initiation as an adult.
Confirmation is not a graduation, a reward for being older, or a second Baptism. In this sacrament the baptised receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, are bound more perfectly to the Church and are strengthened to bear witness to Jesus Christ by word and deed.
There is no need to feel embarrassed because Confirmation was missed earlier in life. People come to the sacrament as adults for many different reasons. The important thing is that you now freely desire to receive it and are willing to prepare seriously for the grace and mission it gives.
The first step is simply to contact the parish.
We will confirm your Baptism and sacramental record, talk briefly about your Catholic life and make sure that Adult Confirmation is the correct pathway for you.
If you were baptised outside the Catholic Church, are unsure whether you have already been confirmed, were baptised in an Eastern Catholic Church, have never received First Holy Communion, or have another sacramental or pastoral question, please tell the priest at the beginning. A different pathway or some additional preparation may sometimes be appropriate.
What Are You Asking For?
If you are a baptised Catholic adult asking for Confirmation, you are not simply asking to complete something that was missed when you were younger.
You are asking to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
In Confirmation, God strengthens the grace already given to you in Baptism.
You are united more firmly to Christ and his Church, strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and given particular grace to live and witness to the Catholic faith.
You do not need to know everything about Catholicism before being confirmed.
But you should understand what you are asking for and genuinely desire to live as a Catholic disciple.
Preparation therefore helps you deepen:
- your relationship with Jesus Christ
- your understanding of the Catholic faith
- your life of prayer
- your participation in Sunday Mass
- your sacramental life
- your place within the Church and her mission
In asking for Confirmation, you are asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen you for a mature life of Catholic faith, holiness, witness and mission.
Your preparation
Our parish uses Preparing for Adult Confirmation — Catholic Preparation Companion.
The book contains twelve short conversations designed specifically for adults.
They explore:
- Baptism and Christian initiation;
- the Holy Spirit;
- Pentecost;
- Confirmation in Scripture and Tradition;
- sacred chrism and the rite of Confirmation;
- the spiritual seal and effects of the sacrament;
- the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- virtues, fruits and charisms;
- renewal of baptismal promises;
- Christian witness, vocation and spiritual combat;
- and preparing to receive Confirmation and live its grace afterwards.
Each conversation follows the same simple pattern:
REMEMBER → SHORT TEACHING → TALK ABOUT IT → THE ESSENTIALS → PRAYER → THIS WEEK
A normal conversation takes about 15–20 minutes.
You may work through the companion on your own, with your sponsor, or with a priest or catechist. The book provides the catechetical preparation, while parish life, Sunday Mass, prayer, Confession and personal accompaniment help prepare you to receive the sacrament well.
Preparing for Adult Confirmation
Catholic Preparation Companion
APP for Preparation
For those who would prefer an app to help them prepare please use: https://3stepuk.github.io/Adult-Confirmation
This includes the full text with questions to help you remember what you’ve learned.
Preparing to receive the sacrament
During preparation you will be encouraged to:
- participate faithfully in Sunday Mass;
- develop or renew a regular life of prayer;
- understand what Confirmation is and what grace it gives;
- prepare to renew your baptismal promises sincerely;
- choose a suitable sponsor;
- receive the Sacrament of Penance before Confirmation;
- and consider how the Holy Spirit is calling you to live and witness as a Catholic adult.
Confirmation should be received in the state of grace. Preparation is therefore not simply about knowing facts; it is about approaching the sacrament with faith, freedom, repentance and a genuine intention to live as a disciple of Christ.
What happens at Confirmation?
The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, although a priest may confirm when the Church gives him the appropriate faculty.
At the celebration, candidates renew their baptismal promises. The Church then prays for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Each candidate is anointed on the forehead with sacred chrism and receives the sacramental seal of the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation completes and strengthens baptismal grace. It roots us more deeply in our identity as children of God, unites us more firmly to Christ, strengthens our bond with the Church and gives special strength to spread and defend the faith by word and action.
The sacrament is received only once because it leaves a permanent spiritual character.
After Confirmation
Confirmation is not the end of Catholic formation.
The newly confirmed are called to continue living the grace they have received through:
Sunday Mass · Holy Communion · regular Confession · daily prayer · Scripture · charity · parish life · Christian witness and service
The Holy Spirit strengthens us not merely for a single celebration, but for the whole Christian vocation — in family life, work, friendships, parish service and the ordinary decisions of everyday life.
Ready to begin?
If you are a baptised Catholic adult who has never been confirmed, please get in touch.
You do not need to know everything before beginning. We will help you establish your sacramental record, provide the preparation companion and accompany you towards the sacrament.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 