Confirmation
Dear Confirmation Candidate,
I am pleased to invite those of you in Year 10 and above to take the next step in your faith journey by joining our Confirmation Preparation Programme for 2026.
Confirmation is a sacrament in which you are strengthened by the Holy Spirit and called to live your faith more fully as a mature member of the Catholic Church. It is a real moment of commitment, deepening your relationship with Christ and your responsibility as a Catholic.
Our linked parishes programme will support you through sessions of discussion, prayer, and reflection, helping you explore what the Church believes and how faith is lived in the real world, alongside other young people preparing for the same sacrament.
To take part, please return the attached Confirmation Application Form to the Parish Office by Monday 2nd February 2026, either in person or by email to office@chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk. A printed version is also available in the Linked Parish churches.
Attendance at all sessions is expected. If there are any serious difficulties, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible.
I encourage you to approach this time with openness and honesty. The catechists and I look forward to accompanying you during this important stage of your faith journey.
Be holy. Be blessed. Be joyful. Do good, and smile always.
Fr Barto
Parish Priest
- Introductory Session for Parents and Candidates
Sunday 8th March 2026, 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall - Retreat Weekend
Begins at 9.30am on Saturday 21st March 2026 and ends on Sunday 22nd March at 5.00pm - Session 2
Sunday 29th March 2026, 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall - Easter Triduum
Thursday 2nd April to Sunday 5th April 2026
Candidates are expected to actively participate in the Easter liturgies in their parish churches - Session 3
Sunday 12th April 2026, 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall - Rite of Acceptance
Sunday 26th April 2026, 3.00pm to 4.00pm
Brentwood Cathedral - Session 4
Sunday 10th May 2026, 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall - Session 5
Sunday 17th May 2026, 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall - Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesday 20th May 2026, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church - Sacrament of Confirmation (Feast of Pentecost)
Sunday 24th May 2026 at 4.00pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church - Session 6: Going Forth
Sunday 7th June 2026, 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall
After you have applied your family will receive information from Fr Barto and the catechists about the course.
There is an introductory session for all Parents and Candidates on the 8th March at 3pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall. Here you will also be able to find out further information about the programme and ask further questions you may have.
All young people in Yr 10 and above are eligible to apply.
The Parishes are pleased to be able to provide an engaging programme building which will include:
- an opportunity for candidates to meet other young Catholics from the parish and to make new friends
- A retreat day at Walsingham House.
- Space to talk about what is important to them and to share their faith
- time to explore interesting and engaging areas of Church teaching
- a chance to get involved in practical social action and
- to experience different forms of prayer
Candidates will be invited to choose a sponsor who will be a source of spiritual support for them during and after the programme. This might be a godparent, relative, family friend or fellow parishioner who is not less than 16, a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken. This person must not be the Father or Mother of the candidate.
When candidates are confirmed, they can choose a Confirmation name to add to their first and middle names — or they can just use their names given at Baptism. However, the new name must be a Christian name such as one of the canonised saints or a hero from the Bible.
Help will be provided during the programme in choosing a sponsor and a Confirmation name.
Baptism, the Eucharist and the sacrament of Confirmation are the sacraments of Christian initiation. The Catholic Church teaches that confirmation binds the baptised more perfectly to the Church, enriching them with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. It helps us to be true witnesses of Christ, encouraging us to defend the faith by word and deed. The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead with sacred chrism and the laying on of the Bishop’s hand with the words: Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Candidates are confirmed at Pentecost - this year on Sunday 24th May 2026.
The sacrament of Confirmation is a key moment in the life of a young Christian. Preparation for this sacrament must be undertaken with great care to ensure that the candidate knows fully the commitment. In order for candidates to be fully prepared and for the programme to be successful, the church requires commitment to the Confirmation programme as outlined below:
Candidates
- must express their own desire to receive the sacrament of Confirmation;
- are expected to attend Mass on Sundays
- should ensure they attend each and every programme session and be on time;
- should enter fully into the programme activities;
- should listen to catechists and each other, respecting their views;
- should not allow their own behaviour to disrupt others;
- should undertake acts of service within the community willingly
Young people should discuss confirmation with their parents/guardians and decide for themselves if they are ready to take this journey. If they do not feel ready at the time, if it is not their choice or they are unable to meet the required commitment they should consider leaving Confirmation for another year. There is no maximum age limit for the sacrament, however the RCIA programme is open for anyone aged over 18.
If anyone has any questions or concerns regarding the sacramental programme you can speak to any priests of the parish, one of the catechists, or enquire at the parish office.
In 2026 Fr Barto is leading the course with the catechists.