Confirmation
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Come Holy Spirit!
Confirmation means strengthening. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, the graces given at Baptism are completed and sealed with an indelible mark. Meaning you are marked forever as a Christian; this can only be received once in a lifetime.
At St. Boniface, we focus on creating opportunities for teens to encounter Jesus and form a desire to belong, believe, and become disciples for Him. Having an authentic experience of encountering the body of Christ is our priority, and our hope is that each Candidate will feel strengthened throughout this process, and as if they are able to live out their life for Jesus.
Please see below about the Confirmation process, or refer to the Confirmation Handbook for the 2025-2026 year. You may also contact Sarah Kelly, Youth Ministry Coordinator, at [email protected], or call the Youth Evangelization & Formation office at 515-850-1883.
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At St. Boniface, we begin our process with Youth Alpha series, to help Candidates encounter Jesus in a personal way before we focus on catechesis for Confirmation. Then we focus on a relationship with the Lord through the Holy Spirit with YDisciple's Never Alone: Life with the Holy Spirit. This exercise helps to create a safe space for teens to have real conversations regarding life and faith, and to experience a real desire to belong, believe and become disciples for Jesus. The focus is to create an opportunity for the teens to have an authentic experience of encountering the body of Christ. Once Candidates have committed to discerning receiving the sacrament, we explore a variety of topics to spark interest and ignite a desire for life-long learning about the faith.
Youth Alpha Series- Welcome to the conversation!
- Jesus Is…?
- What Does Real Love Look Like?
- Why Would I Want a Relationship With God?
- What Does a Relationship With God Look Like?
- Who Is the Holy Spirit?
- How Can I Be Filled With the Holy Spirit?
- How Does God Help Us Overcome Evil?
- Does God Heal Today?
- What Happens Next?
YDisciple- Never Alone: Life with the Holy Spirit:- Belonging
- Guided
- Empowered
- Alive
Accompaniment Conversations
Accompaniment Conversations comprise the important catechetical components, and must be done between a Candidate and their Sponsor. Each topic has a prayer, activity for the Candidate to complete with their Sponsor, and an opportunity for reflection. Sponsors serve as a conduit of the grace of the Holy Spirit. The conversations are meant to draw both the Sponsor and Candidate to deeper conversion and discipleship. They cover catechetical components and will draw the sponsor and Candidate to the treasures of the Catholic faith. It is important that the sponsor becomes familiar with “The Emmaus Model of Accompaniment” in Luke 24:13-34: Encounter, Accompaniment, Send.
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WHAT IS A SPONSOR?
A sponsor is a practicing Catholic who lives their life in harmony with the Church. “The sponsor is to take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament.” (Canon #892)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SPONSOR?
Sponsors will serve in a mentor role to accompany their Candidate throughout the Confirmation preparation process and after. A sponsor will meet with the teen for conversations about faith using a variety of topics important to the confirmation preparation. Upon completion of accompaniment sessions, the sponsor should guide the Candidate to properly reflect on each topic whole heartedly. Additionally, the sponsor will join the teen for service projects, Mass, Adoration, and other activities the teen identifies as important to their confirmation journey. Upon completion of the accompaniment sessions, the sponsor serves as a witness testifying to the teen's readiness to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A SPONSOR
The following are qualifications as defined by Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church:- 16 years of age or older
- Not the father or mother of the Candidate
- Received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Participates in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days; and receives the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly
- Actively strives to live out their commitment to Christ and to the community life of the church by lovingly responding to those with whom they come in contact
- If married, the marriage is valid according to the laws of the Catholic Church
- Willing to give support to the Candidate through prayer and the example of their Christian life
- Able to attend the Rite of Confirmation Mass and testify to the bishop the Candidate's readiness to receive the sacrament
HOW TO CHOOSE A SPONSOR:- Begin with prayer: ask God to guide you to the person right for you.
- Who is in your life already?
- A Godparent can be a good Sponsor
- A relative, sibling (16 or older) or family friend who stands out to you
- Ask yourself:
- Do you feel comfortable diving into prayer and faith conversations with this person?
- Is this person available to meet with you on a regular basis and attend the Rite of Confirmation Mass?
- Does this person have an active faith life and regularly participates in the sacraments (Mass & Reconciliation)
- Does this person have a joyful love of Jesus?
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CAN AN OLDER TEEN BE A SPONSOR?
Teens 16 years or older who have received all the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Communion and Confirmation) are eligible to be a Sponsor. However, it is always better to have a trusted adult who can both complete Accompaniment Conversations and ensure readiness for Confirmation.
PARENT NOTE: If the Candidate chooses an older teen as their sponsor, please be prepared to provide extra support.
CAN I CHOOSE A SPONSOR WHO LIVES OUT OF TOWN?
The Sponsor can certainly complete “Accompaniment Conversations” through Zoom/Facetime. However, when the Sponsor comes in town, it is a great opportunity to come together for Mass with the Candidate.
DOES A SPONSOR NEED TO BE VALIDATED BY THE PASTOR?
Yes. Active parish membership and engagement in the sacramental life of the Church are essential to serving as Sponsor. Please communicate to your Sponsor that Eligibility Forms are to be validated by their parish priests!
WHAT IF I CAN’T FIND A SPONSOR?
We completely understand that it may be difficult to find someone that fulfills the requirements to be a Sponsor and who can make a commitment to the preparation journey. If you are unable to find a qualified Sponsor, please contact the Faith Formation Office. We will work with you to find someone to journey with you.
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- It is a “rite of passage” that it makes you “an adult in the faith”
- That you are confirming your faith
God confirms you…not the other way around!- Confirmation is “magic” and you will automatically and suddenly be more patient, gentle, faithful, etc.
- Confirmation is Catholic graduation
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Preview Youth Alpha
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Requirements
- Baptism Certificate (Please submit an original baptism certificate; If you don't have one, please contact the parish where you were baptized and request them for a new copy)
- Sponsor Eligibility Form (It is completed by sponsor and validated by Sponsor's pastor), please click HERE to download the form. Click HERE (coming soon!) to download the Sponsor Handbook.
- Click here if you need a copy of the Accompaniment Conversations.
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ServiceServing one another as Christ did is an important part of our faith.
Five must be completed at St. Boniface and can be done in any of the following areas:- Liturgical ministries (Ushering, Greeting, Lectoring, etc.)
- Fish Fry Dinners
- Faith Formation
- and more!
The other five projects can be completed at St. Boniface as well OR in the Waukee Community or Greater Des Moines area.
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RetreatAttending retreats is a vital component to Confirmation because it allows the Candidate time to focus on their relationship with the Lord.
We have two retreats as part of the Confirmation process here at St. Boniface. The first is the Youth Alpha Day Together during the Alpha series, and the second is a retreat based on life with the Holy Spirit and utilizing the Gifts of the Spirit and recognizing the Fruits of the Spirit.
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