Confirmation
Confirmation is the final Sacrament of Christian Initiation and an important step in the life of a young Catholic. At Holy Spirit, preparation for Confirmation takes place over a two-year period, with students ordinarily receiving the sacrament during the fall of their 8th grade year.
Children prepare for Confirmation in one of three ways:
- Public school students participate in Holy Spirit Religious Education.
- Holy Spirit School students receive their religious instruction through the school.
- Homeschool students complete their religious education at home.
All three groups prepare for the same sacrament as part of our Holy Spirit parish family.
If your child is older than 8th grade and has not yet been Confirmed, please contact the Office of Religious Education. Confirmation is too precious to be missed!so we can help you. Confirmation is too precious to be missed!
Grade 8 — Confirmation 2026
Important Dates
Thursday, October 15, 2026 — Confirmation Retreat
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit
For Holy Spirit School students
Saturday, October 17, 2026 — Confirmation Retreat
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit
For Religious Education and homeschool students
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 — Confirmation Rehearsal
6:00 p.m. in the church
Thursday, October 22, 2026 — Confirmation
5:30 p.m. in the church
What Grade 8 Families Should Be Doing Now
As Confirmation approaches, families should make sure the following items are taken care of:
- Confirmation Sponsor — Your child should have chosen an eligible Catholic sponsor.
- Sponsor Eligibility Certificate — The required sponsor documentation should be submitted to Holy Spirit.
- Confirmation Saint — Your child should choose a Saint or Blessed as his or her Confirmation.
- Confirmation Retreat — Candidates must attend their assigned retreat.
- Confirmation Rehearsal — Candidates must attend the October 20 rehearsal with the instructions provided by the Religious Education Office.
- Confirmation Day — Please review the dress code below before purchasing or choosing clothing for Confirmation.
Questions about Sponsors or Proxies?
We have created a separate page answering the questions families ask us most often about Confirmation sponsors, including:
- Who may serve as a Confirmation sponsor?
- What is a Sponsor Eligibility Certificate?
- What if the sponsor lives in another state?
- What if the sponsor cannot attend Confirmation?
- What is a proxy?
- Can a parent serve as a proxy?
- Common sponsor and proxy situations
Confirmation Sponsor Information:
https://holyspiritchurch.us/re/confirmation/sponsor/
If you are still deciding on a sponsor, please read through this page before making your choice.
Choosing a Confirmation Saint
Candidates choose a Saint or Blessed to serve as their Confirmation patron — someone whose life provides an example of Christian discipleship and whose intercession they can seek throughout their lives.
Students should spend some time learning about the lives of the saints rather than simply choosing a name. The goal is to choose someone whose faith and example the candidate genuinely wants to follow.
Confirmation Retreat
A Confirmation retreat is part of preparation for the sacrament.
Holy Spirit School Students
Thursday, October 15, 2026
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Religious Education & Homeschool Students
Saturday, October 17, 2026
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Students from Other Parishes
We welcome students from other parishes who are unable to attend their own parish Confirmation retreat to join us on:
Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Parents must complete the retreat permission form before their child attends. After the retreat, we will notify the student’s parish Director of Religious Education of his or her attendance.
We may also request a brief pre-retreat meeting with the student to review retreat information, safety procedures, and conduct expectations.
Retreat Permission Form for non-Holy Spirit parishioners
https://holyspiritchurch.us/re/confirmation/retreat-permission/
Confirmation Dress Code
Confirmation is a solemn celebration of the Church and a special visit from the Bishop. Candidates should dress in a way that reflects the dignity of the sacrament.
Boys
- Slacks
- Dress shirt and tie
- Dark formal shoes
- Dark socks
- Jacket optional
All clothing should be clean, neat, and properly fitted.
Girls
- Dress, or skirt with an appropriate top
- Formal shoes
- No flip-flops, sandals, or other casual shoes
- No sleeveless or backless tops
- The front of the dress or top should not be lower than approximately three fingers below the collarbone
- Dresses and skirts may show the knees, but not the thighs
All clothing should be modest and appropriate for Mass.
All Candidates
Clothing should be appropriate for the celebration of Mass and should not contain inappropriate images or messages.
Grade 7 — Preparing for Confirmation in 2027
Families of current 7th-grade students are beginning their preparation for Confirmation in Autumn 2027.
December 31, 2026 — Baptism Certificates
If your child was baptized somewhere other than Holy Spirit Catholic Church, please submit a copy of your child’s Baptism certificate to the Religious Education Office by December 31, 2026.
Please send it to:
Mayra Saunders
Assistant Director of Religious Education
[email protected]
Students baptized at Holy Spirit do not need to provide a Baptism certificate.
January 31, 2027 — Confirmation Information
Please complete the Confirmation Registration & Information Form by January 31, 2027.
Confirmation Registration & Information Form:
https://holyspiritchurch.us/re/confirmation/registration/
Additional information about your child’s sponsor and Confirmation preparation will be provided during the year.
Confirmation 2027 Dates
Confirmation Retreat: October 2027 — date to be announced
Confirmation Rehearsal: Autumn 2027 — date to be announced
Confirmation Mass: Autumn 2027 — date to be announced
Dates will be posted here as soon as they are confirmed.
Forms & Helpful Links
Confirmation Sponsor Information
https://holyspiritchurch.us/re/confirmation/sponsor/
Confirmation Registration & Information Form
https://holyspiritchurch.us/re/confirmation/registration/
Retreat Permission Form for Students from Other Parishes
https://holyspiritchurch.us/re/confirmation/retreat-permission/
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
There are a lot of details involved in preparing for Confirmation, and families do not need to figure everything out on their own. If something about your child’s situation is unusual, or you aren’t sure what applies to your family, please contact us.
Office of Religious Education
(703) 978-8925
Anson Groves
Director of Religious Education
(703) 978-8925 ext. 1
[email protected]
Mayra Saunders
Assistant Director of Religious Education
(703) 978-8925 ext. 2
[email protected]
