Preparing to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit
If you are a young Catholic who has been baptised and would like to prepare for Confirmation, you are very welcome.
Confirmation is not a graduation, a reward for reaching a certain age or simply something that happens in a particular school year.
In Confirmation, the same Holy Spirit who was given in Baptism strengthens the baptised person through a new sacramental outpouring. Confirmation completes and strengthens baptismal grace, binds us more firmly to Christ and his Church, and gives us particular strength to live and witness to the Catholic faith.
Preparation in our parish is personal, flexible and based upon readiness. It begins with Sunday Mass, prayer and a conversation with the parish.
Who is this pathway for?
This pathway is principally for a young person who:
- has been validly baptised as a Catholic;
- has not already received Confirmation;
- has received First Holy Communion;
- freely wishes to prepare for Confirmation;
- is ready to participate in Sunday Mass and develop a life of prayer;
- and is willing to learn and begin living more deliberately as a Catholic disciple.
Young people begin from different places. Some already attend Mass and pray regularly. Others need help returning to ordinary Catholic practice. Some have received strong Catholic formation, while others have many questions or important gaps in their understanding.
The first conversation helps us understand the young person’s circumstances and agree on the right way forward.
If the young person has not been baptised
An unbaptised young person follows the Christian initiation pathway rather than the ordinary Confirmation pathway.
BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN AGED SEVEN AND OVER
If the young person was baptised outside the Catholic Church
A young person who has received a valid Baptism in another Christian community is not baptised again. A separate pathway prepares them to profess the Catholic faith and be received into full communion.
BAPTISED CHILD COMING INTO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
If you are unsure about a previous Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation or Eastern Christian chrismation, please speak with the priest before beginning.
What are you asking for?
In asking for Confirmation, a young person is asking for much more than a ceremony or family occasion.
They are asking to receive a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to his Church.
Confirmation:
- increases and deepens baptismal grace;
- roots us more deeply as children of God;
- unites us more firmly to Jesus Christ;
- increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us;
- makes our bond with the Church more perfect;
- gives particular strength to spread and defend the faith by word and action;
- strengthens us to confess the name of Christ without shame;
- and places an indelible spiritual seal upon the soul.
Confirmation can be received only once.
A candidate does not receive the Holy Spirit for the first time at Confirmation. The Holy Spirit is already given in Baptism. Confirmation brings a new sacramental strengthening and a fuller outpouring of his gifts.
In asking for Confirmation, a young person is asking to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit for a life of Catholic faith, holiness, witness and mission.
Thinking about faith as a family?
Asking about Confirmation can sometimes make a young person — and their parents — think more seriously about faith.
Perhaps your son or daughter was baptised Catholic but has not been coming regularly to Mass.
Perhaps they are only beginning to ask what they themselves believe.
Perhaps you were brought up Catholic but have been away from the Church for some time.
Perhaps Confirmation has raised questions about faith for the whole family.
You are very welcome to begin.
Confirmation is not simply the next ceremony after First Holy Communion. It strengthens a young Catholic to live more fully as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
For that reason, if faith and Sunday Mass are not yet part of the young person’s life, it can be helpful to begin by exploring who Jesus Christ is and what it means to follow him before beginning formal Confirmation preparation.
If you are a parent who was baptised Catholic but has been away from the Church, you may also find Returning to the Faith helpful.
Young people and parents are very welcome simply to begin coming to Sunday Mass, ask questions and allow faith to grow.
There is no need to pretend that everything is already in place.
Fr John will be happy to speak with you and help you find the right next step.
How preparation works
1. Begin with a conversation
The young person and a parent or guardian meet with the parish.
We will talk about:
- the young person’s Baptism and previous sacraments;
- their present participation in Sunday Mass;
- their understanding of Confirmation;
- their personal desire to receive the sacrament;
- their questions about the Catholic faith;
- any learning, language, medical or additional needs;
- and whether preparation will be led by a parent or supported by a parish mentor.
Please bring a recent copy of the young person’s baptismal certificate if possible. Do not worry if you do not yet have it. The parish will explain what is required.
2. Take part in Sunday Mass and prayer
Sunday Mass is at the heart of preparation.
Confirmation strengthens a person to live more faithfully as a member of the Church. Preparation therefore cannot be separated from the worshipping and sacramental life of the Church.
The young person should attend Sunday Mass regularly and begin or strengthen a daily life of prayer.
If your family has not been attending Mass regularly, please do not wait until everything feels perfect. Simply begin. Come to Mass together and allow the life of faith to grow from there.
3. Work through the preparation catechism
The young person works through My Confirmation Catechism with a parent or parish mentor.
The catechism provides the Catholic teaching. Parents and mentors do not need to invent lessons, prepare formal talks or find additional worksheets.
A parent remains involved throughout. If a parish mentor accompanies the young person, the mentor supports the family rather than replacing the parents. A parent or responsible adult remains present when a young person meets a mentor.
4. Put the faith into practice
Preparation also includes:
- personal prayer;
- reading Sacred Scripture;
- receiving the Sacrament of Penance;
- participating in the life of the parish;
- practising charity and service;
- making Christian choices at home, at school and with friends;
- choosing a suitable sponsor;
- and learning to speak about the Catholic faith with truth and charity.
Service is not simply a number of hours to complete. It helps the candidate recognise that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the good of the Church and the service of other people.
5. Review readiness
There will be a personal readiness conversation before Confirmation.
This is not a public examination. Its purpose is to establish that the candidate understands the sacrament according to their age and ability, freely desires to receive it and is properly disposed.
Completing twelve conversations does not automatically determine a Confirmation date. Readiness matters more than speed.
6. Receive Confirmation and continue
When the candidate is ready, the parish will arrange the celebration of Confirmation.
Confirmation is a beginning, not a graduation. The newly confirmed person continues through Sunday Mass, Holy Communion, Confession, prayer, Catholic formation, charity, parish life and Christian witness.
Preparation resources
My Confirmation Catechism
Our My Confirmation Catechism is the principal preparation book for young Catholics, aged eleven to sixteen.
The 36-page catechism contains twelve carefully developed conversations explaining the Holy Spirit, the Sacrament of Confirmation, its effects and gifts, and the Christian life which follows.
Each conversation includes a familiar opening question, accessible but substantial Catholic teaching, four discussion questions with suggested answers, one concise catechism answer to remember, a prayer and a practical action.
The book is designed for young people to use with a parent, carer or parish mentor. It provides everything needed for the conversations while encouraging honest questions, personal reflection and a growing commitment to Catholic life.
It contains twelve Catholic conversations:
- The Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life
- The Promise and Pentecost
- The Sacraments of Christian Initiation
- Confirmation in Scripture and Tradition
- The Minister, Matter and Form
- Anointing, Chrism and the Spiritual Seal
- The Effects and Character of Confirmation
- The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Virtues, Fruits and Charisms
- Renewing the Promises of Baptism
- Witness, Spiritual Combat and Mission
- Preparing, Receiving and Persevering
The catechism also contains:
- the Rite of Confirmation explained step by step;
- the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit;
- guidance about sponsors and patron saints;
- Catholic prayers and a simple rule of life;
- a summary catechism;
- and a readiness and review guide.
DOWNLOAD MY CONFIRMATION CATECHISM
Confirmation Activity and Conversation Companion
The Confirmation Activity and Conversation Companion is an optional resource for parents, mentors and priests who would like additional activities, illustrations and discussion ideas.
It follows the same twelve subjects as the catechism and provides practical ways of exploring the teaching.
The catechism itself contains everything needed for preparation, so families do not have to use or complete the companion unless it would be helpful.
It provides:
- one activity and conversation for each catechism lesson;
- simple illustrations using ordinary objects;
- questions which encourage honest discussion;
- practical connections with Mass, prayer and daily life;
- help with choosing a sponsor and patron saint;
- preparation for Confession;
- a calm rehearsal of the Confirmation rite;
- guidance about readiness;
- and practical steps for continuing after Confirmation.
No prepared talk, specialist knowledge or complicated equipment is required.
DOWNLOAD THE CONFIRMATION ACTIVITY AND CONVERSATION COMPANION
Confirmation Preparation App
The app contains the preparation teaching and questions in a simple digital format.
It may be used for reading, learning and revision. It is additional help and does not replace the catechism, Sunday Mass, prayer, Confession, conversation with a parent or mentor, or participation in parish life.
OPEN THE CONFIRMATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE APP
Short Parish Pathway Guide
This printable guide gives the candidate and family a short overview of the parish Confirmation pathway.
DOWNLOAD THE CONFIRMATION PARISH PATHWAY GUIDE
How to use the catechism and companion
Our My Confirmation Catechism contains twelve conversations designed to help young Catholics, principally aged eleven to sixteen, understand the Sacrament of Confirmation and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
The book is intended to be shared with a parent, carer or parish mentor. No teaching experience, lesson preparation or additional worksheets are necessary. Everything needed for each conversation is included in the catechism.
Each conversation follows six simple steps:
- Begin together – Start with a familiar question or situation from everyday life, encouraging the young person to think and speak honestly.
- Read together – Explore the Catholic teaching slowly and carefully, explaining unfamiliar words and discussing any questions that arise.
- Talk and understand – Use the four discussion questions and suggested answers to explore the subject more deeply. Encourage the young person to explain the teaching in their own words.
- Remember – Learn one concise catechism answer expressing the central truth of the conversation.
- Pray together – Bring what has been learnt before God in a short prayer.
- One small step – Choose a practical action to help the young person live their faith through prayer, Sunday Mass, Christian choices, charity or service.
There is no need to rush.
Around twenty minutes may be enough for a conversation, but some subjects will naturally lead to longer discussions. Others may need to be revisited or divided into shorter conversations.
These twelve conversations are not a twelve-week course or a timetable for receiving Confirmation.
Young people should feel free to ask difficult questions, express uncertainty and say when something is not yet understood.
The suggested answers help parents and mentors explain the Catholic faith accurately. They are not scripts to be memorised or an examination to be passed.
Using the Activity and Conversation Companion
The optional Confirmation Activity and Conversation Companion follows the same twelve subjects and offers further activities, illustrations and discussion ideas.
It may be used whenever additional help would be useful, but completing every activity is not necessary. The catechism itself contains everything needed for the twelve conversations.
Learning the faith and living it
Confirmation preparation involves much more than understanding a book.
Young people are encouraged to attend Sunday Mass, develop a personal life of prayer, receive the Sacrament of Penance, read Sacred Scripture, practise charity, ask questions and grow in their willingness to follow Jesus Christ.
They should be encouraged to reflect upon how Catholic faith influences their friendships, family life, school, online behaviour, moral choices and responsibilities.
The parish priest will discern readiness personally, taking account of each young person’s faith, understanding, circumstances, proper disposition and sincere desire to receive Confirmation.
The aim is not simply to finish twelve conversations. It is to help a young Catholic understand the gift of the Holy Spirit, receive Confirmation with faith, and continue living as a disciple and witness of Jesus Christ.
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
The traditional seven gifts are:
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.
These gifts make us more ready to recognise and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
They are not magical powers. They perfect the Christian virtues and help us judge rightly, choose what is good, persevere in difficulty, worship God faithfully and live as his children.
Fear of the Lord does not mean being terrified of God. It means reverent awe, love for God and a sincere desire not to offend him through sin.
Confession before Confirmation
Confirmation should be received in the state of grace.
Candidates should therefore normally receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation before Confirmation.
Confession is not a punishment or an examination. It is the sacrament in which Jesus Christ forgives our sins, restores his grace and gives us strength to begin again.
Parents and mentors may explain the order of Confession, but they must never ask a young person to reveal actual personal sins. The candidate’s Confession remains private between the candidate, the priest and God.
LEARN ABOUT PENANCE, CONFESSION AND RECONCILIATION
Choosing a sponsor
Each candidate should, as far as possible, have a Confirmation sponsor.
The sponsor is not simply a ceremonial witness. The sponsor should pray for the candidate, encourage them and help them continue living faithfully as a Catholic after Confirmation.
A sponsor should ordinarily:
- be a practising Catholic;
- be at least sixteen years old;
- have received Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist;
- live in a way consistent with the Catholic faith;
- be free to undertake the responsibility;
- and not be the candidate’s father or mother.
It is especially appropriate for a baptismal godparent to serve as the Confirmation sponsor. This shows the close relationship between Baptism and Confirmation.
If you are unsure whether someone is suitable, please ask before making a firm arrangement.
Choose someone whose Catholic life you would be glad to follow.
Choosing a patron saint
Candidates are often invited to choose a saint or blessed as a spiritual patron.
This is a valuable Catholic custom, but choosing a new Confirmation name is not essential to the sacrament. Retaining one’s baptismal name can also express the unity between Baptism and Confirmation.
If choosing a patron, the candidate should learn about the person’s life and ask:
- How did this saint follow Jesus Christ?
- What virtues did they show?
- What difficulties did they overcome?
- What can I learn from their example?
- How can I ask for their prayers?
The purpose is not simply to choose an attractive name. It is to choose a faithful Christian example and heavenly intercessor.
When is a candidate ready?
Readiness does not mean perfect knowledge or a polished personal testimony.
According to their age and ability, the candidate should be able to:
- understand that Confirmation is a sacrament instituted by Christ;
- understand that it completes and strengthens baptismal grace;
- know that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Blessed Trinity;
- know the principal effects of Confirmation;
- understand the meaning of the anointing with sacred chrism and the spiritual seal;
- desire to receive the sacrament freely;
- profess the Catholic faith sincerely;
- renew the baptismal promises;
- participate regularly in Sunday Mass;
- develop a genuine life of prayer;
- receive Confession and approach Confirmation in the state of grace;
- and show a real intention to continue living as a Catholic afterwards.
The candidate does not need to know everything. Questions, difficulties and areas needing further explanation are normal.
The parish priest makes the final pastoral judgement about readiness.
What happens at Confirmation?
The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, although a priest may also confirm when he has the necessary faculty.
The celebration includes:
Renewal of baptismal promises
The candidates reject sin and profess the Catholic faith into which they were baptised.
The laying on of hands
The minister extends his hands over the candidates and prays that the Holy Spirit will come upon them with his sevenfold gifts.
Anointing with sacred chrism
Each candidate approaches with their sponsor.
The minister anoints the candidate’s forehead with sacred chrism and says:
N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
The candidate answers:
Amen.
The minister says:
Peace be with you.
The candidate answers:
And with your spirit.
Through this sacramental anointing, the candidate receives the permanent spiritual seal of Confirmation and is strengthened by the Holy Spirit for Christian life and mission.
The parish will explain and rehearse the practical arrangements beforehand so that candidates can participate calmly and confidently.
For parents
Parents remain the first educators of their children in the faith.
The most important support you can give is straightforward:
- come to Sunday Mass together;
- pray together;
- take an interest in the catechism conversations;
- speak naturally about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith;
- allow honest questions;
- encourage Confession;
- help your child choose a suitable sponsor;
- and show through family life that Catholic faith is something to be lived.
You are not expected to know every answer. The catechism provides the teaching, the activity companion helps with the conversation, and the priest can help with difficult questions.
A parish mentor may support your family, but does not replace you. A parent or responsible adult remains present when a young person meets a mentor.
Additional needs
Please speak with the parish early if the young person has:
- a learning difficulty;
- communication needs;
- sensory needs;
- a physical disability;
- anxiety;
- limited English;
- difficulty reading;
- or another need which may affect preparation or the celebration.
Preparation can be adapted without weakening its Catholic content. The aim is genuine understanding and a free response according to the young person’s capacity.
PARISH SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
After Confirmation
Confirmation is not the end of Catholic formation.
The newly confirmed person continues to grow through:
- Sunday Mass;
- worthy and frequent Holy Communion;
- regular Confession;
- daily prayer;
- Sacred Scripture;
- continued Catholic learning;
- charity and service;
- participation in parish life;
- discernment of vocation;
- and faithful witness to Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit gives his gifts for a lifetime, not only for the day of Confirmation.
The newly confirmed should ask:
- Where is God calling me to serve?
- How can I use my gifts for other people?
- How can I live my faith openly and faithfully?
- What vocation may God be asking me to consider?
- How can I remain close to Christ and his Church?
Ready to begin?
If your son or daughter would like to prepare for Confirmation, please contact the parish.
You do not need to wait for an annual course or complete the preparation materials before making contact.
The first step is simply a conversation. We will listen to the young person and family, check the sacramental record, explain the pathway and arrange whether preparation will be led by a parent or supported by a parish mentor.
Preparation may begin at any time. The celebration will be arranged when the candidate is properly prepared and ready.
Parish Priest: Fr John Owens
Email: john.owens@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Church teaching
Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Sacrament of Confirmation
Code of Canon Law, Confirmation
Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation strengthens the grace of Baptism so that we may live as faithful disciples and witnesses of Jesus Christ.
