What is Confirmation?
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service. ~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Who can be Confirmed?
In the Diocese of Venice, young people can be Confirmed in 10th grade or older.
How do you know if you are ready to be Confirmed?
You willingly and regularly participate in the life of the Parish, especially in the past year. This includes joining us for Youth Nights, retreats, and Mass.
You are willing to give the Confirmation prep process your 100% effort.
You are curious about what it all means – Church, Mass, Eucharist, Youth Group, Spirituality, loving God, believing in Jesus, etc. If you are curious, you are ready for Confirmation prep!
You understand the basics of the faith. You can see the Bishop’s Confirmation Study Guide here – he wants to know you know about our faith so you can pass it on to others, too.
Confirmation at Our Lady of Light is an adventure for the student (also known as “candidate”) in discovering God and the Holy Spirit. Your parents, Church, and sponsor will be here on the way to support you. But you need to be ready. If you’re ready to commit to your faith, email YouthMinistry@ourladyoflight.com for more information.
Youth Confirmation at Our Lady of Light
Confirmation for youth at OLOL is designed to help them build relationships with one another in community, with their catechetical team and Confirmation Sponsor, and with the Church. These bonds are designed to help them stay plugged into their faith and their Church in the coming “growing up” years, and cannot happen without their participation. Teens, it’s your chance to step forward toward God, to your faith, and to living out your Catholic Christianity- it’s ok if you don’t feel super-confident about your faith, that’s something we will do our best to help you with.
Confirmation starts with “Year 1”
⇒Youth Nights
Students begin with a year of active participation in the Mass and Youth Ministry or other High School Formation, including Catholic High School. This year we call “Year 1,” and this is traditionally done in the 9th Grade year but families may delay based on their student’s readiness or the family’s circumstances. For Year 1 youth, you need only to sign them up for Youth Ministry. Our program is detailed here.
⇒Sunday Night Masses
Youth preparing for Confirmation will serve and participate during parish liturgies. Attendance at Catholic Mass every weekend is not optional; God commands it: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.” It’s ok to attend at a different Catholic Church sometimes – as long as you are going!
⇒Retreat
All Year 1 AND Year 2 Confirmation students need at least one retreat each year. Our big Fall Youth Ministry Retreat is coming up on Oct 10-12, 2025 at St Leo Abbey in St Leo, Florida. $100 Retreat fee covers the overnight, and we fundraise to help with the rest. Parent chaperones will be welcome! Let us know if you can join us.
Retreat permission slip here. Retreat details & packing list will be posted here by Sept 10.
Departure is 3:15pm from the OLOL parking lot by coach bus. We will drive to St Leo Abbey in St Leo, Florida (near Tampa), have dinner there, and the retreat will follow. We will be back home in the OLOL parking lot in time for the 5pm Mass. Please send teens with comfortable clothes that cover the shoulders, a water bottle, and money for lunch Sunday. Additional packing details to come.
After Year 1 comes “Year 2”
These are young people in 10th grade or older who actively participated in Mass and Catholic formation last year and they are ready to sign up for Confirmation prep, or what we call “Year 2”. Here are the steps you will take on your Confirmation journey:
⇒Registration Sunday
Sign up for a 30 minute timeslot when we will meet you, get you signed up, and give you a pop quiz on the Bishop’s Confirmation Study Guide.
Year 2 Registration form here
A version of the Study Guide with some fill-in-the blanks here
⇒Sunday Night Masses
Confirmation students will serve each week during the Sunday evening liturgies. Students check-in 20 minutes before Mass in the Main Narthex with Youth Ministry before going to your stations. Attendance at Catholic Mass every weekend is not optional; God commands it: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.” It’s ok to attend at a different Catholic Church sometimes – as long as you are going!
⇒Youth Nights
Youth Nights begin September 14 and run on most Sundays through the end of April. This has a separate registration and the program is fully detailed here.
Please note: Parents and parishioners – we need you to sponsor a Sunday night meal or join the Hospitality team! Please email YouthMinistry@ourladyoflight.com
⇒Year 2 2025-26 Confirmation classes & program info
***All of these dates are required***
*August 14, 21, 28, September 4, and 11, 6-8pm (all are required except in the case of serious illness or family emergency).
*Make ups: in the event of a cancellation due to hurricane we will meet October 23, 6-8pm and if students missed any session will be October 30, 6-8pm.
*Sept 7 following Mass, 6-8pm for Liturgy Night. Students wear blue to this Mass and stay after in the Church. Parents, please pick up students from the Parish Center by 8pm. Includes dinner.
*Stations of the Cross one Friday night during Lent; date to be determined and shared as soon as we know.
⇒Retreat
*Oct 10-12, at St Leo Abbey in St Leo, Florida. Retreat fee covers the overnight, transportation, and meals.
*Transportation will be by coach bus departing the OLOL Parking lot on October 10 and returning to the OLOL Parking Lot in time for the 5pm Mass. Parent chaperones may need to self-transport if we fill the bus.
*Parent chaperones are invited but must be Fingerprint approved and Safe Environment Trained by September 17. Go here for details. We do reimburse for fingerprinting costs after three months of volunteering.
*Retreat permission slip here. Retreat fee is $100 and can be paid here. Scholarships are available – never let cost hold you back from joining us. This retreat will actually cost around $400 per student and we will be fundraising the remainder during this year.
*Details & packing list will be posted here by Sept 10. Departure is 3:15pm from the OLOL parking lot by coach bus. We will drive to St Leo Abbey in St Leo, Florida (near Tampa), have dinner there, and the retreat will follow. We will be back home in the OLOL parking lot in time for the 5pm Mass. Please send teens with comfortable clothes that cover the shoulders, a water bottle, and money for lunch Sunday. Additional packing details to come.
⇒Sponsor – someone to walk with you in faith this year and keep you plugged in after Confirmation. Sponsor requirements and form
Sponsor form for OLOL parishioner
Sponsor form for a non-OLOL parishioner
⇒Saint Name – Choosing a ‘new’ name symbolizes your new role in the Church. See more here
Here is the week 1 Saint assignment.
⇒Write a letter to the Pastor or Bishop – Asking to be Confirmed is your chance to say YES. See more here
⇒Confirmation Mass
Sometime in the spring, on a date of the Bishop’s choosing, he will come to our Parish and Confirm our students. Final preparation for the sacrament, as well as a rehearsal will occur during Sunday night youth nights in April.
Our Lady of Light promises to be here for you to help you grow as disciples in your faith. We will stand with you, pray with you, and meet you where you are at in your journey of faith. We ask that you give this time of preparation your “all” as you say yes to the Lord.
*** Please note: Attending Catholic High School alone does not satisfy Confirmation preparation. ***
For communications about Confirmation from Youth Ministry here; text OLOLYM to 84576
To make a payment toward Confirmation for your student, click here: Online Giving
For questions email YouthMinistry@ourladyoflight.com
