Confirmation is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. Together with Baptism and the Eucharist it is a Sacrament of Initiation. At Confirmation the candidate is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and confirms the faith one has received at Baptism, fortified in the Holy Eucharist and has inherited from the parents and the Godparents.
Accepting the responsibility of owning and defending one’s faith requires maturity and candidates are encouraged to discern if they are ready for this responsibility. As Catholics, we are called to love God and to love our neighbour. This requires putting out faith into action and candidates will utilise opportunities provided to serve the parish in any capacity they are able to. These little steps will hopefully encourage them to take larger steps later in life, to take Jesus where He is needed most.
Eligibility:
In the Diocese of Westminster it is recommended that the candidates are at least 14 years of age therefore anyone younger than that will be asked to wait until he or she has reached the suitable age. Candidates in our parish must be 14 years old by 1st September to enrol in the year’s preparation programme.
Children seeking confirmation but who will turn 18 years old by Easter next year are requested to look at the Adult Confirmation webpage.
Registration:
Registration opens in the summer (June to July). Announcements regarding the opening of registration is made in the parish newsletter at least two weeks prior. An online registration form is made available below on this webpage for the duration of the registration period.
The preparation programme runs from September to May with the Sacrament being conferred by our bishop in our parish church sometime between May & July.
THE REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR 2025-26 HAS ENDED.
2025-26 Registration
NOTES REGARDING REGISTRATION
- The number of available places is limited by the number of volunteer catechists we have. Child safeguarding regulations in the country require that we have one (background checked) adult for every ten children (aged 13 to 17).
- Therefore, parishioners are encouraged to volunteer as catechists so that we can accept all applicants – please apply at earliest (by emailing Lionel on hounslowcat@rcdow.org.uk) as it takes around 3 -4 months for a DBS (background check) to be completed.
- It is not possible to admit children in the middle of the year and families that miss the registration deadline will have to wait for the following year to register their child(ren).