Sacrament of Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes one’s initiation into the Catholic faith.  It is the policy in the Diocese of Buffalo that young people seeking Confirmation be prepared to do so after at least two years of adolescent faith formation in either a Catholic high school or parish religious education program.  Therefore, the sacrament will be celebrated when in eleventh grade, but no sooner than the spring of 10th grade in the context of the parish faith community.
 
 
Adults who have been baptized in the Church, but have not received confirmation should not be placed into the RCIA process, rather, provided a customized formation process unique to their needs and situation.  Contact the Dept. of Lifelong Faith Formation for information with regard to working with adults wishing to be confirmed.

Confirmation Guidelines will be forthcoming...

The Diocese offers the following resources to help parishes prepare youth for confirmation according to diocesan policy:

Program Organization:

Components of a Parish Preparation Process   
Best Practices of Confirmation Formation

Content for preparation:
Curriculum Guidelines for Confirmation Prep (2004)

Celebrating the Sacrament:
Liturgy Planning Guidelines

After Confirmation…. read this informative article: 
Confirmation and Beyond
Mystagogy with Confirmation Candidates

Online Preparation Options

We have developed a virtual confirmation retreat which teens can do independently, with parents and/or sponsors, in a zoom gathering, or any combination of these methods. It is our hope that this retreat, and the other materials on this page, will be helpful for you as you continue to prepare teens to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.  

Diocese of Buffalo Virtual Confirmation Retreat–Invites teens to learn more about the Sacrament of Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and what it means to live these gifts as disciples. 

OddWalk Ministries Virtual Retreat—
While not specifically confirmation-themed, this retreat does invite participants to reflect more deeply on who Jesus is and what it means to follow him, with the Holy Spirit as our guide. If prefered, you are welcome to add a Holy Spirit activity from our retreat in order to better meet your group’s need.  

Putting the Pieces Together—
A private Confirmation Retreat adapted by Holy Family Parish, Inverness, IL

Busted Halo Outdoor Retreat—
A chance for teens (or adults, or anyone really) to get outside, get moving, and connect with the Spirit of God through nature!

The Wild Goose Series –
A 14 part video series on the Holy Spirit, including videos on the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, the Sacraments, and the importance of the Spirit in our daily lives.

Called to Mercy’s Confirmation Curriculum
combines the flexibility of digital learning with the power of community interaction. The result: engaging, relevant, and deeply reflective opportunities for a true spiritual conversion to lives that give witness to Jesus’ call and the Church’s mission of mercy.

Intergenerational Confirmation Prep by Archdiocese of Chicago—
Includes ideas for discussion in families as well as for groups of teens, and activities to be done at home.