Confirmation

Confirmation is the last of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church, along with Baptism and the Eucharist. It is the final step in becoming a fully initiated member of the Church. In Confirmation, the grace of Baptism is strengthened and deepened through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—just as it was at Pentecost.

Through this sacrament, we are:

Sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit
Strengthened in our faith
Sent forth as courageous witnesses of Christ in the world

Confirmation Age Change Beginning in 2026 - 2027

Beginning in Fall 2026, the Archdiocese of Baltimore will begin shifting the standard age for Confirmation to 9 years old (around 4th grade). The goal is to foster earlier formation, greater family involvement, and a stronger foundation in the life of the Church.

Watch Archbishop Lori explain this change and its significance:

Holy Family's Confirmation Transition Timeline
Click here to read a letter from Father Mike

Our vision is simple: Confirmation is no longer the finish line - it is the starting line. This transition is also a wonderful opportunity for families to grow together in faith. Parents and guardians play a vital role in preparing their children for Confirmation, and this process provides a meaningful opportunity to engage in deeper conversations about faith, prayer, and living as disciples of Christ. We are confident that this change will enrich the spiritual lives of our young people and strengthen our entire parish community.

Confirmation Transition Timeline
The following timeline outlines the gradual implementation of our Confirmation preparation schedule:

2026–2027: 9th and 8th Grade (and siblings who are currently in 6th or 7th grade*)
2027–2028: 8th and 7th Grade
2028–2029: 7th and 6th Grade
2029–2030: 6th and 5th Grade
2030–2031: 5th and 4th Grade

*Optional - If parents choose, younger siblings in 6th & 7th grades can prepare for and celebrate Confirmation with an older sibling.

Confirmation Preparation - Two Parts
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation consists of two components:

Part 1 – Faith Formation
Our Faith Formation Ministry provides a strong foundation and knowledge of our Catholic faith. All 6th-8th Grade Confirmation Candidates should be enrolled in Faith Formation this year. 9th Grade Candidates need to enroll in Faith Formation if they did not complete it last year.

Sunday sessions: 9:00–10:00 am or 10:30–11:30 am

Monday sessions: 4:45–5:45 pm
Registration is completed through the Faith Formation Registration Form.

Part 2 – Faith Alive! (Confirmation Prep)
Faith Alive! focuses specifically on preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and on helping young people live out their faith as disciples of Christ.

Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month from 7:00–8:30 pm in Unity Hall. (Dinner will be provided at 6:30pm.)
Registration should be completed through the Confirmation Preparation Registration Form.

Candidates may complete Faith Formation and Faith Alive! concurrently or in separate years. Students enrolled in a Catholic school are only required to complete Faith Alive!.

An informational Webinar/Zoom meeting will be held September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm to explain these changes in greater detail and answer any questions you may have. A link to the Zoom meeting will be posted the day before.

Confirmation
Requirements
2026-2027

To enter the Confirmation 2026-2027 program at Holy Family Church, the candidate should be in at least 8th or 9th grade and have been in a Faith Formation or Catholic school program in the previous year. If there was no Faith Formation last year, candidates should enroll in Faith Formation this year.

Sessions will start Monday, October 5, 2026. There will be 5 sessions, held on the first Monday of every month.

***NEW this year***

8th grade candidates may be enrolled in Faith Formation concurrently with Confirmation Prep (Faith Alive!)
Additionally, younger siblings in 6th or 7th grade may participate in Confirmation Prep (Faith Alive!) this year. Concurrent Faith Formation is required.

Parish membership is required for Confirmation. Please click here visit our Become a Member page to fill out the registration form.

Live Your Faith Through Service and Experiences:
Candidates must complete 10 hours of service, reflecting a commitment to both the Church and the wider community. These hours should include a variety of activities. At least 5 of these hours will be completed at Holy Family Catholic Church. Candidates will also be required to complete 5 hours of Spiritual Enrichment, which includes time in Eucharistic Adoration, attending Edge or Ignite Youth Ministry events, serving as a Liturgical Minister/Altar Server, attending Parish Missions, or going to Confession, for example.

Complete Volunteer Service Requirements: To serve at the parish, teens need to complete the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s volunteer requirements. If you're unsure of your compliance, please contact Louisa Woolery at [email protected].
Attend Confirmation Sessions (5): The purpose of the sessions is to encourage and facilitate relationship among the Candidates as they enter deeper into relationship with Christ and to enter into full communion with the Church.
Participate in the Confirmation Retreat at Holy Family Church:
This retreat is a powerful opportunity to grow closer to Christ, connect with peers, and prepare your heart for the sacrament. Date TBA.
Choose a Faithful Sponsor:
Candidates choose a Confirmation sponsor—someone who is a practicing Catholic in good standing (and not a parent)—to support and guide them on their spiritual journey.
Candidate/Family/Sponsor Interview:
Each candidate will have a chance to reflect on their faith and readiness with their family and/or sponsor. More information will be shared at the Faith Alive! sessions.
Attend the Confirmation Mass:
Confirmation Mass will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2027 at 10:00am or 12:30pm. Mark your calendar now for this very special day.
Celebrate the Sacraments regularly:
Ongoing participation in the Eucharist (Sunday Mass) and Reconciliation is an essential part of preparing to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Write a Letter to the Bishop:
Candidates will write a personal letter to the Bishop sharing their journey and desire to be confirmed in the Catholic faith.
Choose a Confirmation Saint:
Candidates will choose a Confirmation Saint—a heavenly friend and patron—to inspire and guide them.

Ready to register for Confirmation Prep? Click the button below:

CONFIRMATION PREP/FAITH ALIVE! REGISTRATION FORM 2026-2027

Walk the Journey Together – Join Your Child in Confirmation Prep

Parents,
Confirmation is not just a milestone for your teen - it’s a powerful moment for your entire family. As your son or daughter prepares to receive this beautiful sacrament, your presence and support can make all the difference. Parents should plan to be part of their preparation journey. By attending sessions with your teen, you’ll not only grow in your own faith, but also show them, through your example, how valuable this step is.

Why join in?

Your presence shows your teen that faith is a shared and lifelong journey.
It opens the door to meaningful conversations about life, faith, and purpose.
You’ll be better equipped to answer your teen’s questions and guide them with confidence.
It’s a great opportunity to reconnect with your own spiritual life.

Your role in this process is irreplaceable. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming sessions - let’s walk this journey together. (One parent at each session is fine.)

Confirmation Program Schedule

October 5, 2026: 7:00-8:30pm Unity Hall*
November 2, 2026: 7:00-8:30pm Unity Hall*
December 7, 2026: 7:00-8:30pm Unity Hall*
January 4, 2027: 7:00-8:30pm Unity Hall*
Retreat Day: February TBA, 2027: 10:00am-6:00pm Holy Family Church
Session: March 1, 2027: 7:00-8:30pm Unity Hall*
Confirmation Day: April 3, 2027, 10:00am or 12:30pm, Holy Family Church, Main Sanctuary

*Food will be provided before all of the sessions, starting at 6:30pm.

Confirmation Forms

We pray that this year may be a year of grace and blessing for our many Confirmation Candidates and their families.

Adult Volunteers Needed

This program would not be possible without the time, talent, and energy of our incredible adult volunteers! We invite parents to take a moment in prayer to ask if God is calling you to serve in some capacity to support our Youth!

Some examples of sharing gifts include volunteering as a small group leader, or helping with administration, technical, communications, or hospitality areas--or maybe you have other gifts to share? All volunteers must
register with the Archdiocese first - click here.

To inquire about Faith Alive!(Confirmation Prep) please contact Valeria Henderson, Youth Minister at [email protected].

Are You an Adult Seeking Confirmation?

If you are over 18 and have not yet been confirmed, we invite you to learn more about preparation through our Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program. Whether you are baptized Catholic or exploring the Catholic faith for the first time, we are here to walk with you.

Click here to visit our OCIA page and learn more.