Teen Confirmation
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Welcome to Our Teen Confirmation Page!
We’re glad you’re here. This page will help you get ready for Confirmation and stay on track along the way.
You’ll find key dates, requirements, resources, and other information you need as you prepare for your Confirmation.
Register for Teen Confirmation Here
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Teen Confirmation Information
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We want to help teens build a strong, loving relationship with Jesus. We want them to love the Eucharist and grow in their Catholic faith. We don’t want them to only know about God. We want them to follow Jesus and help others know Him too.
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Confirmation is a Sacrament that helps you grow stronger in your Catholic faith. Through Confirmation, you receive the Holy Spirit in a special way. The Holy Spirit helps you grow closer to Jesus, become more connected to the Church, and share your faith through your words and actions.
Confirmation isn’t a graduation or a finish line. It’s the start of taking more responsibility for living your faith.
8 Things You Need to Know About Confirmation
Learn more about the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
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You’re ready to sign up for Confirmation if:
- You’re in 10th grade or older.
- You’ve completed your first year of faith formation.
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- Sign up through the online portal.
- Turn in your baptism certificate.
- Put all Confirmation dates on your calendar and attend.
- Complete your required faith formation (2 consecutive years) at SJN - The Vine (High School Ministry) or in a parochial school.
- Complete 12 service hours.
- Choose a sponsor.
- Choose a patron saint.
- Attend the required retreat.
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- Our first Confirmation session is Sunday, September 20, 2026.
- We’ll meet every other Sunday from 3:30 to 4:45 pm in the St. Timothy Room.
- There are 12 sessions plus an overnight retreat.
- You’re allowed to miss two sessions. If you miss a session, please tell us in writing why you were absent. You’ll also need to complete makeup work.
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- The overnight retreat is required.
- Dates: December 12-13, 2026
- Place: Eagles Wings Retreat Center in Burnet, Texas
- If you can’t attend our retreat, you’ll need to attend another approved Confirmation retreat.
- If you need a letter for a coach or instructor explaining that the retreat is required, we’ll provide one.
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- We don’t know the ceremony date yet.
- The diocese will open a portal for each parish to submit requests for several possible dates. The bishop's office will then assign every parish a date and time.
- We’re hoping the ceremony will take place sometime between April and mid-May. We’ll let everyone know as soon as we receive the date.
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Don’t pick someone only because they’ll show up for the ceremony. Pick someone who’ll help you grow in your faith.
Your sponsor should:
- Talk with you at least once a month.
- Pray with you.
- Ask how you’re doing.
- Talk with you about your faith.
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Be a confirmed Catholic.
- Practice the Catholic faith and be in good standing with the Church.
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Parent Orientation: August 30
Teen Confirmation Sessions
- September 20
- October 4
- October 18
- November 1
- November 15
- December 6
- December 12 to 13: Confirmation Retreat (Required)
- January 10
- January 24: Morris Hall
- February 7
- February 21: Morris Hall
- March 7
- April 4
Sessions are usually held every other Sunday from 3:30 to 4:45 pm in the St. Timothy Room unless another location is listed.
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Teen Confirmation Service Hours
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Yes, you are required to complete 12 hours of service.
These service hours give you opportunities to put your faith into action by serving others and supporting your Church and community.Your service should focus on one or more of these areas:
• Serving the Church and your parish community
• Helping people in need
• Supporting human dignity and social justice
• Caring for God’s creation
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The Corporal Works of Mercy offer a helpful guide for choosing service opportunities.
You might:
• Feed the hungry by volunteering with Mobile Loaves & Fishes, serving at Community First! Village, or sorting and packing food at the St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry.
• Clothe those in need by sorting clothing and other donations for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
• Visit the sick or elderly by visiting nursing home residents or making cards for them.
• Serve our parish as a Faith Formation catechist aide, Faith Friend, usher, greeter, or choir member.
• Support vulnerable mothers, babies, and families in your community.
Sunday Team
Serve at Sunday Mass as an usher, greeter, altar server, choir member, or in another liturgical ministry.
Contact Hannah Martinez at [email protected] or 512.814.2178.
St. John Neumann Faith Formation
Volunteer as a catechist aide for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Help younger children learn about their faith and grow closer to Christ.
Contact Christine Chow at [email protected] or 512.814.2174.SJN Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry
Help neighbors in need through food pantry organization, administrative support, and sorting donations.
Email SVdP at [email protected].
Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Prepare and distribute food, clothing, and hygiene items to people experiencing homelessness in the Austin area.
Contact John Henke at [email protected]
Help serve individuals and families in need by sorting and organizing food, packing food orders, and preparing donated items for distribution. The pantry serves more than 2,000 people each month.
Contact Deacon Richard Tucker at [email protected]
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What does not count as approved service hours for Teen Confirmation:
- Any service you are paid money in return (ex: Childcare)
- Any sport-related function unless it is something like Special Olympics
- Helping at cheer or dance events
- If in doubt, ask Chris Rodriguez or Amy Allert
If you need service hours for school, we are happy to sign off on those for you as well.
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For each organization or service event, please complete the information below.
YOUR NAME: __________________________________________
Organization or Event: _________________________________
Date of Service: ______________________________________
Hours Served: ________________________________________
Leader / Coordinator: _________________________________
Leader / Coordinator Signature: ________________________
How did you serve?
How did you see the face of Christ in the people you served?
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Choosing A Confirmation Saint
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- Your Confirmation saint is someone you’ll look to as an example of how to follow Jesus.
- Think about your life. What do you struggle with? What kind of person do you want to become? You might look for a saint who showed courage, patience, kindness, or another quality you want to grow in.
- You can also look for saints who share your interests, hobbies, birthday, or future career.
- Most of all, pray about your choice. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Here are a few ideas:
- St. Sebastian: athletes, courage, and strength
- St. Joan of Arc: courage and leadership
- St. Thomas Aquinas: students and learning
- St. Carlo Acutis: young people, computers, and the internet
- St. Therese of Lisieux: doing small things with great love
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For Confirmation, you will choose a saint whose life, faith, and example speak to you. This assignment gives you a chance to share what you learned about your saint and why you chose them.
YOUR NAME: ______________________________
YOUR SAINT’S NAME: ______________________________
- Who is your saint, and where was your saint born or from?
- When did your saint live?
Include the year they were born and, if known, the year they died. - What is your saint known for? What did they do during their life? Are they the patron saint of a particular group, place, profession, or cause?
- Why did you choose this saint?
This is the most important part of your Saint Selection Story. What qualities, virtues, experiences, or choices in this saint’s life stood out to you? What do you admire about them? How does their story connect with you or the person you hope to become? - What are some important moments from your saint’s life?
Share a few highlights that help us understand who your saint was, how they lived their faith, and why their life is worth remembering. - What is one lesson you want to take from your saint?
Explain one way your saint’s example might help you live your own faith as you prepare for Confirmation.
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Confirmation Sponsor Frequently Asked Questions
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- Pray daily for your candidate throughout their preparation and long after their Confirmation day.
- Foster faith.
- Help them open their hearts to the Holy Spirit and encourage them to live out their baptismal promises.
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- No, it is not required.
- While staying updated on their progress is wonderful, it is not necessary to attend the in-person sessions.
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- Plan to attend the Confirmation rehearsal if at all possible.
- Plan to attend the actual Confirmation Mass to stand with your candidate.
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- Check in periodically. Initiate a phone call or visit to talk about their faith journey and how the preparation is impacting them.
- Be a sounding board. Listen to their struggles, hopes, and questions about living a Catholic life.
- Share some of your own journey regarding your Confirmation preparation and receiving the sacrament.
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- If something unexpected occurs and you cannot attend, a proxy can stand in for you at the altar.
- A proxy can be any other fully initiated, practicing Catholic person, including a parent.
- Your name will still be recorded in the permanent church records as the official sponsor.
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- Keep praying for your candidate. Keep checking in long after Confirmation, asking how their prayer life is, whether they are going to Mass regularly, and whether they are going to Confession.
- Inquiring about this should not be about "guilting" them if they are not. Rather, use words of encouragement to help them return to actively participating in their faith.
- You can also send a card on the anniversary of their Confirmation Mass date.
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Contact Us
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AAllertSJNAustin.orgDirector of Disciple Development -
CRodriguezSJNAustin.orgHigh School Youth Ministry Evangelist -
EClarkSJNAustin.orgDisciple Development Administrative Coordinator
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