Peace and all good things!
The standard scheduling link and information for next year’s celebration of the sacrament of confirmation for youth will be sent out soon. As we prepare for this process, I want to emphasize a few important points in view of the Form to Send initiative and the gradual lowering of the age of the reception of confirmation to sixth grade or 11-12 years of age.
Do not rush
As a general rule, I do not want our parishes to rush making changes to confirmation and the age of reception. We have built plenty of time for prayer, planning and implementation through the year 2031.
Objectives—the priority is family faith formation and youth ministry
Please recall, as detailed in the working document for leaders, that, prior to any change in the age of reception, parishes are asked to accomplish the following objectives with prayerful discernment: (1) develop a culture of family faith formation, which includes one to three years of engaging family faith formation before lowering the age of reception (please see the working document and the FAQs for more on what family faith formation means and does not mean); (2) create a plan for youth ministry, middle school and high school, apart from sacramental preparation; and (3) develop a family-oriented approach to confirmation formation.
Minimum of two years of ordinary faith formation
As revised guidelines for the sacrament of confirmation are finalized this summer, please also keep in mind that the current requirement of a minimum of two (2) years of ordinary faith formation apart from the immediate sacramental preparation will remain in place. The hope, of course, is that ongoing formation (more than two years) will be ever more the fruit of a developed family catechesis that leads into sacramental preparation for confirmation and then, after confirmation, into vibrant engagement of our youth as disciples and emerging leaders.
As parishes seek prayerfully to move down the age of reception for confirmation, please continue to follow the objectives above and make sure that the sacramental formation is building upon or inclusive of the expected minimum of two years of ordinary faith formation. I realize that some parishes are ready to move forward while others need more time. I encourage parishes to take the time that is needed to do this well with adequate prayer and discernment. As noted in the working document, 2026-2027 (phase 1) are preliminary years for prayer and planning. The years 2028-2031 (phase 2) are the years of implementation.
Confirmation dates
As we anticipate receiving requests for confirmation dates (the memo will be sent in early June), the bishops and I are making a priority to be present as much as possible to celebrate the sacrament at your parishes. Please keep this in mind as you consider changes and request dates. Gradual approaches will be helpful for our schedules and, more importantly, will allow the proper tilling of the soil at your parishes, especially those who need more time to develop a culture of family faith formation. More information about scheduling will be shared in the coming memo.
Video message
A video message from me in English and from Fr. Gerardo Ceballos, on my behalf, in Spanish is available for your use in your parishes, as pastors deem helpful.
Thank you for your consideration of these points and for all you are doing to advance the Form to Send initiative. Please know of my appreciation and prayers for you and your communities.