St. Rita Sacrament of
Confirmation
Strengthened by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
"Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, baptized Catholics receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, strengthening the grace first received at Baptism and preparing them to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Confirmation is not the end of one's faith journey—it is the beginning of a deeper commitment to Christ, His Church, and His mission in the world.
Our Mission
Forming Faithful Witnesses of Christ
The Confirmation Program at St. Rita in the Desert helps high school students deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ while preparing to receive one of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Through prayer, study, worship, service, and fellowship, candidates grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith while learning to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit and actively participate in the life of the Church.
"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 deed as true witnesses of Christ."
— Lumen Gentium, 11
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the Sacrament in which baptized Catholics are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and sent forth to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Together with Baptism and the Eucharist, Confirmation completes the Sacraments of Christian Initiation and prepares us to live our Catholic faith with confidence, courage, and purpose.
Through the laying on of hands and the anointing with Sacred Chrism by the bishop, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to bear witness to Christ and participate more fully in the mission of the Church.
"Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace... and helps us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds."
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Sealed with the Holy Spirit
At Confirmation, we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands and the anointing with Sacred Chrism by the bishop. This sacrament perfects the grace of Baptism, strengthens our bond with the Church, and equips us with the spiritual gifts needed to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
"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."
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303
Throughout the Acts of the Apostles, we see the early Church laying hands upon the baptized so they might receive the Holy Spirit, continuing the mission Christ entrusted to His Apostles. Today, the Church continues that same apostolic tradition through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The Journey to Confirmation
Preparing Your Heart
Receiving Confirmation is more than completing a class—it's preparing to encounter Christ through one of the Church's sacraments.
Candidates are expected to:
- Participate faithfully in Confirmation formation sessions.
- Attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation.
- Complete any required retreats and service opportunities.
- Demonstrate a sincere desire to grow in the Catholic faith.
- Submit all required sacramental documentation.
- Participate with the support of a parent or sponsor throughout the preparation process.
Our Curriculum
Our Approach to Formation
At St. Rita in the Desert, we are committed to providing our teens with an authentically Catholic formation rooted in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Our Confirmation program uses Chosen, a comprehensive Confirmation preparation program from Ascension. Through engaging videos, meaningful discussion, and faithful Catholic teaching, Chosen helps candidates develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ while gaining a clear understanding of the Catholic faith.
We selected this curriculum because it reflects our parish's commitment to forming young disciples who know, understand, and live the truths of the Catholic faith with confidence and conviction. Our goal is not simply to prepare students to receive a sacrament, but to equip them for a lifetime of faithful discipleship.
Confirmation at St. Rita
Program Information
Who: High School Students (Grades 9–12)
Class Time: Sundays • 2-4 PM
Location: St. John XXIII Center
Confirmation Leader: Mrs. Isabel Christie
Candidate Requirements
To prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, candidates are expected to:
- Be a baptized Catholic who has already received First Holy Communion.
- Submit a recently issued Baptismal Certificate (dated within the last six months) showing the reception of First Holy Communion.
- Be registered parishioners of St. Rita in the Desert.
- Complete one year of Faith Formation before beginning Confirmation preparation.
- Continue participating in Youth Formation throughout the Confirmation year.
- Attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation while actively participating in parish life.
- Attend and participate in the required Confirmation Retreat.
Sponsor Requirements
Sponsors are an important part of the Confirmation journey and should be practicing Catholics who can support the candidate's growth in faith.
Sponsors must:
- Be a fully initiated Catholic (having received Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation).
- Be at least 16 years of age and living a life consistent with the Catholic faith.
- If married, be married in the Catholic Church.
- If not registered at St. Rita in the Desert, provide a Letter of Good Standing from their parish.
- Submit a recently issued Baptismal Certificate (dated within the last six months) showing the reception of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage (if applicable).
Important Deadlines
All required paperwork must be submitted by November 1, 2026.
- Please note that failure to complete the required documentation or program expectations may delay a candidate's reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation Highlights
📅 Registration
Registration Is Now Open
Registration for the 2026–2027 Confirmation program is now underway. Families are encouraged to register early and ensure all required documentation is submitted by the deadline.
👨👩👧 Parent Meeting
Mandatory Parent Meeting
August 2, 2026 - 2pm
Parents and candidates are asked to attend our annual orientation meeting where you'll meet the Confirmation Leader, receive program materials, and review expectations for the year.
🏕 Confirmation Retreat
Growing Closer to Christ
The Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for March 20, 2027
Sacred Heart
Catholic Church
More information coming soon.
🙏 Sponsors
Choosing a Sponsor
Sponsors play an important role in the Confirmation journey by encouraging candidates to grow in faith and live as disciples of Christ.
Learn about sponsor expectations and required documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why It Matters
Receiving Confirmation is not simply completing another class or reaching a milestone—it is accepting God's invitation to live as a mature disciple of Jesus Christ.
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we are called to proclaim the Gospel, serve others with love, and actively participate in the life and mission of the Church. The gifts received through Confirmation remain with us throughout our lives, helping us grow in faith and become faithful witnesses of Christ.
Questions About Confirmation?
If you would like to learn more about the Confirmation program or have questions about registration, requirements, or preparation, please complete the contact form below.
A member of our Confirmation team will be happy to assist you.
