The 2025-26 program will begin soon. High school students preparing for Confirmation meet in the Basilica Parish Center from 11:30 AM – 1 PM.
Confirmation, like Baptism and the Eucharist, is one of three sacraments of initiation of the Catholic Church. As the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples who were gathered on Pentecost, so the Holy Spirit comes to every baptized person for whom the Church requests the gift of the Holy Spirit. It secures and strengthens the individual to be a living witness to Christ.
Confirmation is the sacrament that completes Baptism; in it, the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us. Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with chrism receives strength to witness to God’s love and might in word and deed. He is now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church. (YouCat 120, 121)
The goal of Confirmation preparation is to aid in the teen’s decision to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church, as well as to foster faith development for each candidate.
All those looking to be confirmed must be 16 years of age by the time they are confirmed and must be a registered member of a Catholic parish (written permission from your parish’s pastor must be sent the Basilica if you are not registered at the Basilica). Regular Sunday Mass participation is expected of all youth intending to receive this sacrament.