Keep safe what you received. God the Father sealed you, Christ the Lord strengthened you and sent the Spirit into your hearts as the pledge of what is to come.
Saint Ambrose
For Parishes:
In order to direct inquiries for Adult Confirmation correctly, we ask that you inform our office of your class offerings. We will post these offerings on our Looking for a Sacrament: Adult Confirmation Page of our website. Please email us to update your parish offerings as soon as possible. The Office of Faith Formation and Parish Life will coordinate two (2) ceremonies a year, in the fall and spring, however preparation for the sacrament will only take place in the context of the parish.
Adult Confirmation – Fall 2026
Ceremony Information
The next Adult Confirmation Ceremony will be in the Fall 2026. It will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Hartford on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Registration – Opens Soon! Closes on October 6, 2026
Leaders, as adults are joining your program, use this Data Collection Form to collect the required information and documents needed to register a candidate. Early collection of this information will give you the time necessary to resolve any impediments (with both Baptism and Marriages) and ensures that registration is not delayed due to incomplete paperwork.
All registrations require pastor approval. If you are registering more than one candidate, you may use this form, OR send us the signed Data Collection Form with the pastor’s signature, once your digital registration is complete.
You will need the following to register a candidate:
- Please collect all paperwork before starting the registration process. When entering candidate’s information, it is helpful to have the Data Collection Sheet ready to facilitate the online registration process.
- You will be asked to enter your Candidate’s name as they would like it to appear on their Confirmation certificate.
- You will be asked to upload the following documents:
- Baptism Certificate
- First Communion Certificate
- Any marriage convalidations/paperwork
- Signed Archdiocese of Hartford Sponsor Certificate:
- Pastor approval signature page (or other approval page)
Frequently Asked Questions – For Leaders and Confirmation Coordinators
What is required to be eligible for adult confirmation?
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church
- Have received the sacrament of First Holy Communion
- Can provide sacramental records or other suitable proof of having received those sacraments
- If married, must be in a valid Catholic marriage, or have resolved all questions of sacramental marriage
What happens if a Candidate doesn’t have proof of their First Communion?
Sometimes a Candidate cannot find their First Communion Certificate due to the Sacrament happening in another country or fire/closure or other event. If this is the case, a few things can be done:
- Is it possible to check other records, for example, was it recorded that the Church where the Candidate was Baptized or Married?
- Is there a photograph of the day? Attach this to their paperwork with an approximate date and year.
- Is there someone who can attest that it happened, maybe a parent, family member who attend the ceremony? Have them write a letter saying they attended, and the date.
- Is this person attending Mass and participating in the Eucharist? If the pastor is willing, have him write that this person is participating the in Eucharist weekly and attach to the Candidate’s paperwork.
What are the necessary documents in order to be confirmed?
- Complete Data Collection Form – and submit to the person leading your adult Confirmation classes. Parish leaders will need this information to submit to the Archdiocese.
- Sacramental records – baptismal certificate and certificate of first communion, or other suitable proof
- If married, proof of sacramental marriage/convalidation/resolution to marriage impediments
- Sponsor form – signed by sponsor
All paperwork should be prepared by the start of Adult Confirmation classes and uploaded using the online registration. Candidates can fill out the form above for the parish to collect the needed information.
When is the next adult confirmation ceremony?
The Office of Faith Formation and Parish Life organizes an Adult Confirmation Ceremony twice a year – spring and fall. Information about the ceremony will be posted on this page as soon as the date is announced.
The ceremony is open to all family, friends, and members of the community and will be live streamed. (The link will be posted on the Cathedral of Saint Joseph’s Facebook Page.)
How can someone acquire their confirmation certificate?
Original certificates of Confirmation will be distributed at the Confirmation ceremony. Additional copies can be requested from the parish at which the sacrament is recorded. Please allow at least two weeks after the ceremony for information to be recorded.
If you are seeking additional certificates from a past Adult Confirmation ceremony, please contact us at 860-242-5573. Please be prepared with the year and season (fall or spring) of your Confirmation.
Valerie St. Jean
Associate Director of Adult & Family Life Ministries
Office of Faith Formation & Parish Life
Valerie.StJean@aohct.org | ext. 2678