Confirmation

For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. (John 6:27)

At confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirm our baptismal promises. Greater awareness of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop.
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. (CCC 1316)
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we renew our baptismal promises and commit to living a life of maturity in the Christian faith. As we read in the Lumen Gentium (the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) from the Second Vatican Council:
Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of confirmation, [the baptized] are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength; hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ. (no. 11)

 Scriptural Foundation for Confirmation

In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. While baptism is the sacrament of new life, confirmation gives birth to that life. Baptism initiates us into the Church and names us as children of God, whereas confirmation calls us forth as God’s children and unites us more fully to the active messianic mission of Christ in the world.

After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles went out and confi rmed others, showing confirmation to be an individual and separate sacrament: Peter and John at Samaria (Acts 8:5-6, 14-17) and Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:5-6). Also the Holy Spirit came down on Jews and Gentiles alike in Caesarea, prior to their baptisms. Recognizing this as a confirmation by the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded that they be baptized (cf. Acts 10:47).
Confirmation for Adults Click Here
 Confirmation for Youth
Parents play an integral and primary role in sacramental instruction of their children. When a parent presents their child for baptism, they acknowledge their role in raising their child in the Catholic faith, someday becoming a full participant in the other sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  Nativity is here to assist you in the fulfillment of that role. At our parish, we structure Confirmation preparation so that you, as parent, and your child's sponsor may directly participate in the Confirmation program.

Important Information About the Process

Teen Confirmation Preparation begins in the 8th grade year after completing the necessary requirements for their 7th grade year; either through Catholic School, homeschool Faith Formation, or in person Faith Formation classes. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm-7:45pm in the Multipurpose Room and we will be studying the Chosen Series through Ascension Press. If you have any questions about the process or believe that your child was eligible and did not receive an invite, please email blanca@nativitycatholicchurch.org.

  • 2024-2025 Teen Confirmation Preparation

    About the Process:

    Confirmation is going to become a year and a half formation process starting in 8th grade and culminating in the Sacrament of Confirmation in September of 9th grade. 


    Registration closes July 22, 2024. Call our Youth Ministry Office (813.689.4147) if you believe your child is eligible but you did not receive an email with registration instructions.


    YEAR 1

    1. Who?

    • Nativity Catholic School 8th graders
    • Nativity Faith Formation 8th graders (who have completed their 7th grade year of Faith Formation)
    • Any Nativity parishioner in 8th grade at another Catholic School
    • Nativity teens older than 8th grade who have not started Confirmation preparation

    2. What?

    • Weekly sessions going through the Chosen Confirmation material in a group setting
    • Retreat experience is required for all teens which will have opportunity for Reconciliation

    3. Where?

    • On Nativity parish’s campus.  
    • Homeschool option available but appointment required to register for this process

    4. When?

    • During their regular religion/faith formation class times.
    • Students at other Catholic schools or in Homeschool Faith Formation need to be sure to contact the Youth Ministry Office and be registered specifically for Teen Confirmation.


  • Important Paperwork


Confirmation for Adults /

Confirmación para adultos

 

Preparation for those who are 18 years old or older is offered through the Adult Faith Formation Office.  For details or to register, phone (813) 689-9101, ext. 2246 or email:  Tammy@nativitycatholicchurch.org.   (Registration online is not available.  An in-person meeting is required.)

 

Registration and classes for 2024 have completed.  Watch the parish bulletin and video announcements for new sessions to begin mid-January 2025 (English).

 

Espanol:   Las próximas sesiones para las clases de Confirmación de español para adultos serán en el verano de 2025. Esté atento a los anuncios.