Confirmation
Confirmation is the final Sacrament of Initiation in which Candidates receive a deepening of baptismal grace and armed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, become full adult members of the Church. Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ, increase the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us and gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action.
In order to lead Candidates to a more intimate union with Christ, and make them more familiar with the Holy Spirit and to make Christians more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1309) the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese has a designed a three year program including prayer, fellowship, retreat and study. Students typically participate in the program during their freshman through junior year of high school. The program also includes a period of reflection following Confirmation.
The Process
A copy of Baptism Certificate is needed to begin.
During the three year period each Candidate is expected to participate in at least one SHYCON and at least one Eucharist Adoration.
Links have been provided throughout the page. If you prefer, you can find all forms here.
Period of Invitation (Freshman year)
- Parent and Candidate Meeting
- Choose a Confirmation Name
- Choose a Sponsor
- Sponsor Eligibility Form (from Sponsor’s parish)
- Sponsor Code of Conduct
- Rite of Blessing
- Session 9A- The Creed
- Session 9B- Prayer: Communion with God
- Baptism Retreat
- 10 hours of Group Community Service
- 15 hours of Individual Community Service
Period of Formation (Sophomore Year)
- Parent and Candidate Meeting
- Rite of Commitment
- Session 10 A-Scripture: Reflecting on and living The Word
- Session 10B- Witness: Word, Worship, Community AND Service.
- Parables Retreat (often combined Gifts of the Spirit Retreat)
- Gifts of the Spirit Retreat (often combined with Parables Retreat)
- Two Meetings with Sponsor
- 10 hours of Group Community Service
- 15 hours of Individual Community Service
Period of Reflection and Celebration (Junior Year)
- Parent and Candidate Meeting
- Rite of Sending Forth
- Session 11A-Review of Confirmation Rite
- Session 11B-Sacraments and the Paschal Mystery
- Session 11C-Morality: Your call to Christian Living and Social Justice
- Two Meetings with Sponsor
- Discipleship Retreat
- 10 hours of Group Community Service
- 15 hours of Individual Community Service
- Letter of Intent
Period of Mystagogy (post Confirmation, Senior year) and beyond)
Various activities including retreats and Bible Studies