Confirmation
-
-
By the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285Whether you are preparing to receive Confirmation yourself or supporting your child as they prepare for this sacrament, we are honored to accompany you on this important step in the journey of faith. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens us with His gifts, completes baptismal grace, and more fully unites us to Christ and His Church.
Our parish offers Confirmation preparation for both youth and adults. Youth are typically confirmed in the spring of eighth grade, with formation beginning well in advance. Adults seeking Confirmation are prepared through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
Wherever you are on your faith journey, we look forward to walking with you as you prepare to receive this sacrament with faith, confidence, and joy, deepen your relationship with Christ, and embrace the mission of living and sharing the Gospel. Please see below to learn more about the process for Confirmation or becoming a sponsor.Have you been asked to be a sponsor for a Confirmation?
What an honor and responsibility! Sponsors must meet the Catholic Church's requirements, as outlined in this form linked below. This form (or a similar form from your own parish) is required for Confirmation at St. Paul Parish, as well as for St. Paul parishioners serving as sponsors at another parish.
Please note that parishioners must be registered with St. Paul Parish for at least three months before requesting a Letter of Eligibility to be a sponsor.
-
Contact Us
- Confirmation for Adults
-
Dcn. Frank Crivellofcrivellostpaulsofprinceton.orgCoordinator of OCIA - Confirmation for Teens
-
jgostkowskistpaulsofprinceton.orgDirector of Religious Education
-
-
getting started
-
-
From the earliest days of the Church, Confirmation has completed Christian initiation by strengthening the baptized with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and sending them forth as witnesses to Christ. Parents who present their children for Confirmation, together with the candidates themselves, accept the responsibility of continuing to grow in the life of faith and embracing the mission of Christian discipleship through active participation in the life of the Church.
Confirmation for youth is ordinarily celebrated in the spring of the student's eighth-grade year following a two-year preparation process.
Register for Confirmation: Teens looking to register, please click here.
-
-
-
Adults and young adults who have passed the traditional age for teen Confirmation (typically after eighth grade) and have already been baptized in the Catholic Church may prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation through our adult formation process. Preparation is designed to deepen participants' understanding of the Catholic faith, strengthen their relationship with Christ, and help them embrace the gifts and responsibilities of Christian discipleship.
Adult Confirmations are typically celebrated in one of two ways. Those who are also receiving the Sacraments of Baptism and/or the Eucharist are ordinarily confirmed during the parish's Easter Vigil as part of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Those who are already fully initiated except for Confirmation are typically confirmed by the Bishop at the diocesan Pentecost celebration.
For more information about adult Confirmation preparation, please click here.
-
-
-
The sponsor accompanies the individual preparing for Confirmation and serves as a guide, mentor, and witness to the Catholic faith. Through prayer, encouragement, and the example of a faithful Christian life, the sponsor helps the candidate grow in discipleship and embrace more fully the gifts and responsibilities received through the sacrament of Confirmation.
Because of the importance of this role, the Church has established specific requirements for Confirmation sponsors (Code of Canon Law, canons 892–893). Whenever possible, it is fitting that the sponsor chosen for Confirmation be the same person who served as the candidate's baptismal sponsor, highlighting the close relationship between the two sacraments of Christian initiation. Only one sponsor for Confirmation is designated.
A sponsor must:- Be chosen by the person being Confirmed.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Be a fully initiated Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
- Be living a life of faith consistent with this responsibility, including regular participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
- If married, be married according to the laws of the Catholic Church.
- Not be the father or mother of the person being Confirmed.
For St. Paul Parishioners:
Members of St. Paul Parish who have been asked to serve as a sponsor at another parish should download the Sponsor Eligibility Form, sign it, and return it to the parish office for the pastor's signature. Parishioners must be registered with St. Paul Parish for at least three months before requesting a Letter of Eligibility to serve as a sponsor.
-
-