Thr Broader Context

Confirmation is an exciting time in the lives of the faithful! Because this Sacrament is an important initiation in the life of a disciple, the Church requires individuals seeking the Sacrament to be suitably educated and properly disposed prior to reception. 

• Have received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Communion
• Actively practicing the Catholic Faith
• At least in 9th Grade
• Actively participating in faith formation for at least one year prior to beginning sacramental prep 
  • (either in the parish, Catholic school, or home schooled)
• Currently enrolled for this year of faith formation

Program Description

Sacramental preparation typically begins in the fall of 9th grade, and candidates attend classes and a retreat throughout the course of the school year. For the first three sessions, one or both parents are expected to attend these sessions with their teen. For the final three sessions, sponsors will attend with the teen.

Preparation sessions will be held one Sunday of each month starting in October, hosted at St. Francis Xavier in Fellowship Hall from 6pm to 8pm (see the schedule below). The following fall, in their 10th grade year, the teens will receive the sacrament of Confirmation. 

The Diocese of Madison requires all teens to have ongoing formation outside of their standard Confirmation preparation classes. The standard, ongoing formation in our parish for High School students are the Family of Faith: Emmaus Mornings or Evenings, High School Small Groups held weekly, or attend a Catholic High School.

For more information, please contact Geno Finn.

Confirmation Handbook

Choosing a Sponsor
All Confirmandi are to choose a sponsor. This is similar to choosing a godparent at Baptism. This person is someone who will walk on this faith journey with them. They should be a great example of what it means to be a Catholic.

To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
- Be Catholic.
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Lives a life of faith according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Not bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.
- Not be the father or mother.

Sponsor Form

Choosing a Confirmation Saint Name
In Confirmation, we receive the power to make a stand for Christ and his Church, as well as special gifts to help us serve God and the Church in particular ways. All these graces help us shift our focus from interior formation (which began at Baptism) to exterior proclamation, giving us courage to witness to the Faith in our words and actions. Confirmation is sometimes called “the sacraments of the martyrs” because the word martyr comes from the Greek word meaning “witness.” They witnessed for the truth of the gospel-no matter what the cost. All martyrs are Saints. But not all saints were martyrs.
We choose a Confirmation saint (like we choose a Confirmation sponsor) not out of due diligence to the “rule,” but rather because we realize how unfortunate it would be to travel alone. We recognize how important it is to know your Confirmation saint not only by name, but also by story. The saints have so much to teach us about this journey. Choose a Saint or Blessed who really speaks to you. Someone you hope to emulate.

Saint Report
After you have chosen a Saint. Then you will need to do a Saint report. This will help you get to know your Saint more and give you a more meaningful reason as to why you are choosing this particular Saint. Fill out the Google Form, linked below, after choosing and researching your Saint. The form is due May 4, 2025.