Guidelines for Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 coming May 1, 2021

Archbishop Paul Coakley announced on September 29, 2020 a change in placement for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Preparation for Confirmation will be completed in one year instead of two and will be held in the sixth or seventh grade instead of during high school.

The Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis will assist parishes in preparing for and implementing the transition, which will begin by Fall of 2022. No changes will be made this year.

The decision to move Confirmation to a younger age comes after months of prayer and input from clergy, parish staff and parents with the goal of boosting involvement in youth ministry and better serving families.

“We all need to think deeply about our Church and about the needs of our young people, particularly in light of our modern culture and all of the unique challenges they are facing today. We need to equip our children with all of the grace available. Unfortunately, there are a number of youth in high school who have been baptized and received First Communion but never were confirmed, leaving thousands without the gift of Confirmation to strengthen them,” Archbishop Coakley said.

“It has become common to view Confirmation as a choice to become an adult in the Church. As a sacrament, God offers Confirmation as a free gift that is actually more about God confirming ‘us’ as his children, not us confirming our faith in God. As we move forward, let us focus on supporting our families and parents, and on being thoughtful and intentional in our formation and youth ministry efforts. Thank you to everyone who has collaborated on this challenge and to everyone who will be working to implement the new guidelines in the future.”

In the summer of 2019, Archbishop Coakley created the Sacramental Preparation Revision Task Force to review sacramental guidelines and consider potential changes for the placement of Confirmation. The task force included directors of religious education, principals, priests, youth ministers, deacons, parents and archdiocesan staff.

The Priests' Council also reviewed guidelines, and all priests were given the opportunity to provide feedback on various aspects of Confirmation and how it should be implemented in parishes.

The Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis will dedicate the remainder of this year to developing options and guidelines, mindful of parishes’ unique needs. The options and guidelines will be sent to pastors no later than May 1 for a Fall 2021 or Fall 2022 start. The transition will include bolstering youth ministries for middle school and high school and planning Confirmations for youth in the “gap years.”

To enroll in Confirmation, contact your parish’s office.

Parents and Young People

I have a child receiving confirmation this year. How will they be impacted?
They will not be affected. No changes will be made this year to the Confirmation process.

I have a child in their first year of Confirmation prep. How will they be impacted?
No changes will be made this year to the Confirmation process. Each pastor and parish will have options for completing Confirmation for teenagers currently in Year 1. The options will be sent to parishes on May 1, 2021.

Why change the age of Confirmation?
The goal is to provide the grace of the Sacrament of Confirmation at a younger age to avoid the current situation where thousands of teenagers are not confirmed. It also is expected to boost involvement in youth ministry and better serve families. As Archbishop Coakley said, it has become common to view Confirmation as a choice to become an adult in the Church. As a sacrament, God offers Confirmation as a free gift that is actually more about God confirming ‘us’ as his children, not us confirming our faith in God.

Without Confirmation in high school, what will keep teenagers involved in the Church?
Confirmation preparation has become a substitute for robust youth ministry for high school students. Along with the transition of Confirmation to a younger age, parishes, priests and archdiocesan staff will develop plans to boost youth groups and faith formation at all parishes.

Are other dioceses doing this?
Yes. Many Catholic dioceses in the United States already have transitioned to a younger age for Confirmation.

How will the transition be phased in?
On May 1, 2021 pastors and parish staffs will receive more detailed guidelines and options for implementing the transition to a younger age. They will work with archdiocesan staff to create the best plan for each parish that recognizes that parish’s unique needs.

Pastors, Catechetical Leaders and Catechists

If the archdiocese is preparing materials for Confirmation, will it be translated into the major languages of our Catholic demographic for this diocese?
Yes. All information will be translated into Spanish and Vietnamese. 

Can parents request that their child be Confirmed at an age younger than 6^th or 7^th grade?
No. Children should be in at least 6^th grade when starting the Confirmation process and should complete Confirmation prior to 8^th grade.