The Sacrament of Confirmation

Student Requirements

Be Baptized in the Catholic Church.
Families can submit a copy of the baptismal certificate or profession of faith (if baptized outside the Catholic Church) by emailing Emily Curran, or by visiting the parish office during office hours.

Complete two full years of Confirmation preparation.
The first year of preparation can be completed through Parish Faith Formation, Catholic school, Catholic home schooling, TNTT, or Catholic scouting programs. The second year of preparation must be done through SMM School or Parish Faith Formation.

Attend a Confirmation Retreat.

Find an eligible sponsor.
Please see the section below for the Sponsor Requirements.

Choose a Confirmation Saint and submit a Saint Report

A Confirmation Saint is chosen as a mentor and intercessor for us in heaven. It could be a saint you relate to or whose story inspires you. See the guidelines document for more information on the report.

Complete service hours. The grace we receive in Baptism and Holy Communion is meant to send us out into the world in service of our Lord.

”Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:37-41

Sponsor Requirements

Be a mature role model in the faith.
It can be a great honor for a close family friend or relative to be asked to be a sponsor. However, the most important thing to consider is that a sponsor is a role model in living the Christian life. This will look different for everyone. Here are some basic guidelines:

  1. Attend Mass weekly.

  2. Believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church, including everything in the Apostles’ Creed and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist

  3. Be an example of Christian faith and morals. This includes principles of charity and sexual morality (ie, not living with a boyfriend/girlfriend).

Sign the Sponsor Agreement Form.
Turn in the form, along with the needed certificates, as soon as possible.

Be Confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church.
Sponsors need to be Catholic before they can sponsor someone else into full membership in the Catholic Church.

If married, proof of a valid marriage in the Roman Catholic Church.
Confirmation sponsors do not need to be married, but if they are, their marriage needs to be recognized by the Church. The Sacrament of Marriage is a beautiful, earthly sign of the marriage between Christ and His Church. To marry outside of the Church as a Catholic is to deny this sacramental reality and makes one ineligible to be a godparent or sponsor. For information on bringing your marriage into the Church (convalidate), please contact Maxim Farrell.

How to Submit Sponsor Paperwork

Email a scan or high quality photo of the Confirmation certificate, marriage certificate, and signed sponsor agreement to Emily Curran. You can also contact the parish where the sacraments took place and request that a copy be sent directly to St. Mary Magdalen. Please include a note stating who the Confirmation Candidate is.

Do not delay! Failure to submit the proper documents will make you ineligible to be a sponsor.

  • Sponsors should contact their church of record immediately if they do not already have these documents on hand, especially if the sacraments were received outside the US.

  • If it is impossible to gather certificates because of dire circumstances in other countries, like natural disaster or war, please contact the parish office.