Confirmation: Parishes

“Those who have been baptized continue on the path of Christian Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation, by which they receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord sent upon the Apostles at Pentecost. By this gift of the Holy Spirit the faithful are more fully conformed to Christ and are strengthened with the power to bear witness to Christ for the building up of his Body in faith and charity” (Order of Confirmation, nos. 1-2).

In the Diocese of Arlington, children who were baptized as infants and who received First Communion at the usual age are confirmed in the 8^th or 9^th grade. Individuals who desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation should contact their local parish. 

(For adults beyond the 9^th grade who have been baptized and received First Communion at the usual age but were never Confirmed, please see our “Confirmation: Adults” page or contact your local parish.)

Resources for Pastors and Parish Staffs

Each year the Bishop of Arlington celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation around the diocese. The schedule for Confirmations celebrated in the Spring is published each Fall/Winter. The schedule for Confirmations celebrated in the Fall is published each Spring/Summer.

• Spring Confirmation Schedule
• Fall Confirmation Schedule

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All Confirmations

• Candidate Cards
• Presentation of the Candidates and Closing Remarks (for the Pastor)
• Prayer of the Faithful (new August 2023)
• Program Template (English) ^{[MS Publisher version available from Office of Divine Worship]}
• Program Template (Bilingual) ^{[MS Publisher version available from Office of Divine Worship]}

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Confirmations with Bishop Burbidge

• Questions
• Guidelines (revised August 2023)
• Guidelines - Quick Reference (revised August 2023)
• Liturgy Form
• Liturgy Checklist
• Readings (new August 2023)

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Confirmations with Bishop Loverde

• Guidelines
• Liturgy Form
• Liturgy Checklist

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Confirmations with Archbishop Broglio

• Guidelines
• Liturgy Form
• Liturgy Checklist

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^{Photo Credit: Lori Fowlkes (Confirmation at St Mary, Fredericksburg 2018)}