Confirmation is not graduation from your faith — it’s the beginning of a deeper, richer life in the Spirit.

Confirmation is a powerful moment in your faith journey. It is one of the seven sacraments of the Church — the final sacrament of initiation after Baptism and the Eucharist. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens you with grace, equips you with spiritual gifts, and commissions you to live as a bold, joyful witness of Christ in the world.

It’s not just about checking a box. It’s about stepping into who God created you to be!

what happens at confirmation?

In the sacrament of Confirmation:
•    You are anointed with sacred Chrism oil by the bishop or priest.
•    You receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit — just like the apostles at Pentecost.
•    You are strengthened to live out your Catholic faith with courage, conviction, and joy.
•    You are fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

This sacrament completes what began at Baptism and prepares you for a life of deeper prayer, service, and mission.

who should be confirmed?

If you are a baptized Catholic who has not yet received Confirmation, or someone interested in becoming Catholic, we would love to walk with you through this next step in your faith life.

Whether you're returning to the Church, rediscovering your faith, or simply ready to go deeper — you’re not alone. Many college students choose this moment in their lives to take ownership of their relationship with God and their identity as Catholic.

how do i get confirmed?

We offer a formation process each semester for those seeking Confirmation. It includes:
•    Regular formation meetings
•    Personal spiritual guidance
•    Opportunities for prayer, discussion, and community
•    Participation in the sacrament itself, typically in the spring semester

Our Confirmation preparation is part of our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program — and it’s more than just a class. It’s a beautiful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith while growing in authentic community with others on a similar journey.

We meet on Sundays from 2:00–3:00 PM during the academic year. Whether you’re seeking Confirmation, First Communion, Baptism, or simply exploring the Catholic Church, you are welcome here.

Each week, we explore a different aspect of the faith — from the sacraments and salvation history to prayer, morality, and the life of the Church. These sessions are rich, thoughtful, and often lead to meaningful conversation. As I often remind our students: because we have an infinite God, there’s always something new to discover.

We include Confirmation within OCIA because saying “Yes, I believe” is a personal decision to fully embrace the Catholic faith. It’s more than a milestone — it’s a commitment. And we want to make sure every student understands the beauty and depth of what they’re saying yes to.

We promise: this isn’t just another class. It’s a journey of transformation and discovery — and we’re here to walk it with you.

ready to begin? have questions?

We’d love to talk! Reach out to us at
(682) 321 - 8827
TCUOCIA@gmail.com

Or come visit us at the Newman Center to learn more.

biblical foundations of confirmation

1. Acts 8:14–17 — The Apostles Lay Hands to Give the Holy Spirit

"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. They went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."

Why it matters: This is one of the clearest biblical moments that shows a second sacramental action—distinct from Baptism—where the apostles lay hands on believers so they receive the Holy Spirit. This is the scriptural foundation of the rite of Confirmation.

2. Acts 19:5–6 — Paul Confirms Disciples in Ephesus

"When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."

Why it matters: Again, Baptism is followed by the laying on of hands and the reception of the Holy Spirit — a clear echo of the sacrament of Confirmation.

3. Hebrews 6:1–2 — Laying on of Hands as Foundational

"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, with instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment."

Why it matters: The “laying on of hands” is listed as a foundational teaching — seen by early Christians as part of spiritual maturity. It hints at the importance of the Spirit’s empowering through apostolic authority, which is what happens in Confirmation.

4. John 20:21–22 — Jesus Breathes the Holy Spirit

"Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

Why it matters: The Spirit is personally given by Christ to empower the apostles — a model for the Church continuing to do the same in the sacraments.

5. Acts 2:1–4 — Pentecost: The Outpouring of the Spirit

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place… Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..."

Why it matters: Pentecost is the ultimate model of Confirmation. It shows how the Spirit strengthens and sends out the apostles — the same mission we are given through Confirmation today.

6. Isaiah 11:2 — The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."

Why it matters: These are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit — the very gifts imparted to the confirmed Christian. This Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in Confirmation.