We, at Our Lady Help of Christians, look forward to working with your family as together we walk along with you on this journey of faith toward Confirmation and lead to a richer participation in the mystery of Christ and share in the mission of His Church.

In the Archdiocese of Washington, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process, usually grades 7 and 8, but may include high school students as well.  Under the guidance of the pastor, the candidate’s “home parish” is responsible for the preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students who attend Catholic School, public school and attend Children’s Faith Formation Classes (CCD), or are homeschooled come together as one parish to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  

Those enrolled in the Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation meet the following requirements:

1. Your son/daughter is baptized and even if baptized at our parish, a copy of their Baptismal Certificate is on file with the Confirmation Coordinator, Emily Vara.
2. Your son/daughter has received First Holy Communion and the certificate is on file with the Confirmation Coordinator, Emily Vara.
3. Your son/daughter is currently enrolled in OLHOC Religious Education program, Catholic School or an approved homeschool program for 2022-2023 school year.
4. Your son/daughter is at least in 7th grade in order to begin Year 1 of Confirmation Preparation and at least in 8th grade in order to begin Year 2 of Confirmation preparation.
5. Your son/daughter is in his/her second consecutive year of religious instruction or Catholic School.
6. Your son/daughter attends weekly Mass.  Attendance at weekly Mass is an integral part of the preparation process for these sacraments.  Mass is where we have our most intimate encounter with Jesus Christ.  Let's be sure our children experience this weekly.
7. Parent(s) and your son/daughter attend the Confirmation workshops/service projects/retreats, attend monthly EDGE/Life Teen gathering (after Youth Mass) etc. 
8. Parent(s) and your son/daughter complete assigned work at home.

Note: If your son/daughter needs to receive the Sacrament of Baptism and/or the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, before registering below, please contact Emily Vara at confirmation@olhoc.org 

There is a series of assignments intended to lead the candidate for Confirmation to:

1. reflect on his/her faith journey 
2. consider who plays a significant role in his/her spirtual life and would be a good choice for a sponsor 
3. examine the lives of several saints to learn how they aligned their lives to follow Jesus, and select one as a role model, taking his/her name as a Confirmation name
4. engage in service opportunities within our parish, both in liturgical and outreach ministries, and to reflect on the experience in terms of lifelong discipleship
5. ensure knowledge of the Catholic Faith through possible online quizzes 
6. reflect on all his/her experiences throughout this preparation and then request, in writing, the Sacrament of Confirmation from the pastor and presiding Bishop