Form to Send Initiative

The decision to celebrate Confirmation in sixth grade (ages 11–12) was made for several important reasons.

First, young people benefit from receiving the grace of the Sacrament of Confirmation and the other Sacraments of Christian Initiation at an earlier age.

Second, children today encounter many social, cultural, and spiritual challenges during their middle school years. Since many young people begin to drift away from their faith during this period, receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation and being formed to live out their faith can provide important spiritual support.

Third, Confirmation has sometimes been viewed as a “graduation” from religious education. Moving the sacrament to sixth grade helps emphasize that Confirmation is not the end of faith formation but rather a strengthening for a lifelong journey of discipleship.

Fourth, the Archdiocese is placing renewed emphasis on family-centered faith formation and reimagined youth ministry. Celebrating Confirmation in sixth grade better supports this vision by strengthening family involvement and creating opportunities for continued engagement in youth ministry after the sacrament is received.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that selecting sixth grade is a pastoral decision rather than a doctrinal one. Church law identifies the “age of discretion” as an appropriate time for Confirmation, and the Church continues to reflect on the best order and timing of the Sacraments of Initiation. For the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the most significant aspect of this change is not simply the age itself, but the broader commitment to family faith formation, renewed youth ministry, and a family-centered approach to sacramental preparation.

The Archdiocese is moving away from a model focused primarily on classroom instruction for children alone.

Instead, parishes are being encouraged to adopt a family-centered approach to faith formation. This model focuses on supporting the family as the primary place where faith is lived and passed on. Parish programs will be intentionally designed around the life of the domestic church, helping families grow in faith together both during parish sessions and at home.

Yes. Updated guidelines for Confirmation preparation are currently being developed.

The Archdiocese will continue to require two years of foundational faith formation prior to Confirmation. This requirement is separate from the specific Confirmation preparation process, which is expected to be shorter in duration. The goal is to encourage families to participate in parish faith formation over several years while ensuring at least two years of meaningful engagement before receiving the sacrament.

Retreats, service projects, and similar activities have never been mandated at the archdiocesan level and will continue to be determined by individual parishes. The Archdiocese strongly encourages these experiences because they provide valuable opportunities to encounter Christ and live out the Church’s mission. As Confirmation preparation shifts to younger ages, parishes will be encouraged to consider ways families can participate together in retreats and service opportunities.

Additional guidance regarding the topics and content of Confirmation formation will be provided in future updates.

Family faith formation does not mean that parishes simply give parents textbooks and expect them to teach their children on their own.

Rather, it means that parishes actively support and equip parents in their role as the primary educators of the faith. Through the guidance of parish leaders and catechists, families are accompanied and encouraged as they grow together in their relationship with Christ.

The parish continues to play a vital role in faith formation, and parents should not feel that they are expected to do this alone. Family faith formation can take many forms. Some parishes may gather families together for formation sessions followed by activities to complete at home. Others may offer separate sessions for parents and children while ensuring that both receive complementary formation. In every model, the goal is the same: helping families live and share the Catholic faith together.

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