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 the strength to witness to God's love and might in word and deed. They are now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285-1314).
In April 2024, the Archdiocese of Boston announced that Cardinal Sean O'Malley has lowered the age for the Sacrament of Confirmation from 15 or 16 years old (typically 10th or 11th grade) to 13 or 14 years old (8th grade). The Cardinal made this change after an extensive information-gathering and consultation process in which it was determined that 8th graders will benefit from receiving the grace of the sacrament at an earlier age, are less likely to have already moved away from a commitment to faith, have closer connections to their families, and have less to preoccupy them. Having Confirmation at an earlier age also allows the Church to explore new ways to evangelize high school students and accompany them on their journeys of discipleship.
Parishes have been given three years to implement this change. Accordingly, starting with the 2024-25 faith formation year, OLOS will begin the process of changing its Confirmation program from its historical format (a two-year program offered to young people typically beginning their freshman year of high school) to a one year program which will eventually take place in 8th grade for most students.
The mission of our Confirmation program remains to help young people enter into loving relationship with God so they can change the world. Over the course of the program, Confirmation students are invited to grow in faith and prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation by attending monthly class sessions and learning outside the classroom through service, spiritual, and enrichment opportunities. Confirmation students also participate in retreats at the beginning and at the conclusion of the Confirmation program.
Confirmation classes will be held in person during the 2024-25 faith formation year. As always, we will follow CDC and Archdiocesan guidelines regarding social distancing, masking, and other best practices in light of the current public health situation.
Confirmation II classes (for students who have already completed the first year of OLOS' two year Confirmation program or who attend a Catholic high school) will meet in O'Connell Hall from 7-8:30 p.m. one Sunday each month.
High school students who have not yet done any Confirmation preparation at OLOS are eligible to enroll in our new One Year Confirmation program, which will meet in O'Connell Hall from 7-8:30 pm an average of two Sundays a month. This year, the students in the new One Year Confirmation program will typically be 9th graders, although if older high school students would like to enroll, they are more than welcome.
For both Confirmation classes, see below for the full program schedule.
Volunteers are always needed! If you are available to serve as a facilitator, please contact Monica LaFond.
Service opportunities provide students with a chance to live out their faith and participate in the Acts of Mercy to which Jesus calls us. Each student enrolled in the Confirmation program during 2024-25 is expected to participate in at least two service opportunities and complete a reflection form about their experience. Click here to learn more.
Spiritual Enrichment
At Our Lady of Sorrows, we believe that faith formation is a lifelong process meant to draw us into closer relationship with Christ and the Church. Faith formation is much broader than simply "instructing in the faith," and we strive to provide a variety of spiritually enriching activities and events in which parishioners of all ages can participate. Each student enrolled in the Confirmation program during 2024-25 is expected to participate in at least three spiritual enrichment opportunities and complete a reflection form about their experience. Click here to learn more.
The theme of the new One Year Confirmation program is Faith in Our Lives: Revisiting, Reviewing and Applying the Basics of Our Faith to Everyday Life. Special attention will be paid to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
The overall goals of the program are to create a space for thoughtful conversation about peace and justice, demonstrate the relevance of our faith to the everyday lives of teens in today, and build community. Curriculum resources used for the development of our sessions include the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible, as well as Catholic Relief Services, Equipping the Saints, Education for Justice, Catholic Central, Busted Halo and the McGrath Institute for Church Life.
Schedule
Parent and Student Orientation: An orientation for students enrolled in the One Year Confirmation Program and their parents will be held on Sunday, September 22 from 7-8 pm in O'Connell Hall.
Classes: The One Year Confirmation Program classes will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. in O'Connell Hall on the following Sundays:
Snow Day Make-Up Class: If needed, our Snow Day Make-Up Class will be on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 7-8:30 pm and will be used to cover the topic of any class that is canceled due to inclement weather.
Fall Mini-Retreat: A Fall Mini-Retreat for students in the One Year Confirmation program will be held on Saturday, October 19 from 2-4:30 pm in O'Connell Hall, immediately followed by Mass at 4:30 pm in the church. Parent chaperones are needed for the Mini-Retreat, and families are invited to join us for the Mass.
Sponsor Orientation: An orientation for sponsors of Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, December 8 from 2-3 pm. This orientation is for Confirmation sponsors only. A parent or guardian should attend if the Sponsor is not available.Spring Retreat: A Spring Retreat for students in the One Year Confirmation program will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 9 to 4 pm at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, MA. Transportation to and from OLOS will be provided.
Confirmation Dinner and Rehearsal: A Confirmation Dinner and Rehearsal for Confirmands and their Sponsors will be held on Thursday, May 15 from 6:30-8:30 pm in O'Connell Hall and the church.The theme of the year is Catholic Social Teaching, and each class will explore one of the seven themes of CST, with the overall goals of creating a space for thoughtful conversation about peace and justice and translating faith themes to everyday life.
Primary resources used for the development of this year's curriculum are Catholic Relief Services and Education for Justice.
Schedule
Parent Orientation: Parents of registered Confirmation II students will receive orientation materials by email approximately one week prior to the first class.
Monthly Classes: The Confirmation II students will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. on the following Sundays each month: