The Diocese of Burlington has released the Spring 2022 confirmation schedule, and Bishop Christopher Coyne is scheduled to confirm nearly 600 students throughout the statewide Diocese in April and May.

The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the work of the Holy Spirit, first received in baptism, in each person. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Bishop prays that the seven-fold gift of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord) come upon each person as they renew the promises of their baptism.

“These gifts of the Holy Spirit help each person live out their baptismal call daily as they reject sin and temptation, deepen their relationship with God and work to bring about the Kingdom of God in their own way,” explained Josh Perry, director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Burlington. “A lot of times, you hear the ‘youth are the future of the Church’ but I like to say ‘the youth are a part of our Church today’ and have a role in helping realize the Kingdom of God in the world today. It’s work I hope they assume with the help of the Holy Spirit – work that will inevitably change as they grow and mature in high school and beyond.”

The Diocese is just completing the multi-year transition period of lowering the confirmation age from high school age to sixth grade. “The bishop of each Diocese can set the age of confirmation for his Diocese, anywhere from the second grade to about 16 years of age, so you’ll see different ages being confirmed in different grade levels,” Perry said. “Bishop Coyne lowered the age because he saw a spiritual need in our young people. The help of the Holy Spirit, given in confirmation, is sorely needed as our young people face an ever-increasing range of social issues and pressures. As pastors, our bishop and priests want to give the best tools to the faithful to live Christian lives fruitfully and faithfully. There’s no better way to equip our young people than to give them the promised help of the Holy Spirit!”

The Easter Season – Easter Sunday and the 50 days following – is the time in the Church to celebrate the initiation of new members. Confirmation is part of the initiation process. “All of the initiation sacraments – baptism, confirmation and Eucharist – deepen the faithful’s connection to the Paschal Mystery – the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – which is the focus of the entire Easter Season,” Perry said. “That’s why the Church traditionally baptizes new members during the Easter Vigil and Easter Season and why the Easter Season is also the traditional time for the celebration of First Communions and confirmation.”

2022 schedule

Confirmation liturgies celebrated during the week or on Saturdays will be outside of Mass, using the readings provided by the Office of Worship.

Confirmation liturgies celebrated on Sunday will be within Mass, using the readings for Sunday.

Capital Region:

Montpelier

Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m.

 Cathedral I:

Cathedral

Thursday, April 28 at 7 p.m.

 Southwest Region:

Manchester Center

Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m.

Southeast Region:

Brattleboro

Sunday, May 1 at 1 p.m.

Confirmation with Mass

West-Central Region:

Middlebury

Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m.

Cathedral II:

Cathedral

Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m.

Northeast Region I

St. Johnsbury

Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m.

Cathedral III:

Cathedral

Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.

Cathedral IV:

Cathedral

Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m.

Northeast Region III

Newport

Sunday, May 15 11 a.m.

Confirmation with Mass

Cathedral V:

Cathedral

Tuesday, May 17 art 7 p.m.

Rutland Region I

Christ the King

Sunday, May 22 at 10:30 a.m.

Confirmation with Mass

Rutland Region II

Christ the King

Sunday, May 22 at 1 p.m.

Confirmation with Mass

East-Central Region:

White River Junction

Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m.

Cathedral

ADULT CONFIRMATION

Sunday, June 5 at 10 a.m.

Confirmation with Mass