Confirmation

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation”  whose unity must be safeguarded.

The reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For “by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed”(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285).

The effects of Confirmation

From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
– it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, “Abba! Father!”;
– it unites us more firmly to Christ;
– it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
– it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
– it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303).

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR THE CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2025/6 HAVE NOW CLOSED.

Confirmation will take place in the spring, and we look forward to walking this journey of faith with you. 

Applications are for young people in Year 10 or above (aged 14-15 years) who are live in, are registered with, and regularly practice their Catholic faith in, the Parish of St. John the Evangelist. They will be asked to confirm that they understand that full participation in the Parish Confirmation Preparation Course, will give them the opportunity to explore their Catholic faith and understand the meaning of the Sacrament of Confirmation. They will be asked to promise that they will devote the necessary time and effort throughout the course, so that they can make their own informed choice about whether they wish to be signed by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Some young people may not be ready to participate and engage in everything that sacramental preparation for Confirmation requires, in which case it is quite acceptable to postpone until they are older. The Diocese publication “Are you ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation” can help guide young people to decide if they are ready.

Safeguarding: The Parish follows the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy www.abdiocese.org.uk/safeguarding. All our Catechists and Parish Priest are DBS cleared. 

Within our Parish, The Parish Safeguarding Representative has special responsibility for promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults at risk within the parish. The Parish Safeguarding Representative is the link between the parish and the Diocese and as such, is in regular contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding Office.

If you have any concern at any time please raise your concerns with the parish priest, the catechists or the Parish Safeguarding Representative.

GDPR: As with Safeguarding we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (2018).

Download the Smallest Catechism of the Catholic Church – click here.