Confirmation

For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. (John 6:27)

At confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirm our baptismal promises. Greater awareness of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop.
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. (CCC 1316)
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we renew our baptismal promises and commit to living a life of maturity in the Christian faith. As we read in the Lumen Gentium (the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) from the Second Vatican Council:
Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of confirmation, [the baptized] are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength; hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ. (no. 11)

 Scriptural Foundation for Confirmation

In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. While baptism is the sacrament of new life, confirmation gives birth to that life. Baptism initiates us into the Church and names us as children of God, whereas confirmation calls us forth as God’s children and unites us more fully to the active messianic mission of Christ in the world.

After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles went out and confi rmed others, showing confirmation to be an individual and separate sacrament: Peter and John at Samaria (Acts 8:5-6, 14-17) and Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:5-6). Also the Holy Spirit came down on Jews and Gentiles alike in Caesarea, prior to their baptisms. Recognizing this as a confirmation by the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded that they be baptized (cf. Acts 10:47).
Confirmation for Adults Click Here

 Confirmation for Youth
Parents play an integral and primary role in sacramental instruction of their children. When a parent presents their child for baptism, they acknowledge their role in raising their child in the Catholic faith, someday becoming a full participant in the other sacraments of ReconciliationEucharist, and Confirmation.  Nativity is here to assist you in the fulfillment of that role. At our parish, we structure Confirmation preparation so that you, as parent, and your child's sponsor may directly participate in the Confirmation program.

Important Information About the Process

  • 2023-2024 Confirmation Year 2

    About the Process:

    Registration closes June 22, 2023. Call Blanca in our Youth Ministry Office (813.689.4147) if you believe your child is eligible but you did not receive an email with registration instructions.  

    • When? - Preparation sessions are held on Sunday afternoons beginning in August.
    • Where? - Sessions are typically held in the Church, Social Hall, and Youth Center's Life Lounge.
    • Who is involved? - Youth seeking Confirmation along with parents and sponsors, who should attend certain sessions during the process.

    Steps in the Registration Process:

    1. If you are a graduate of Nativity Catholic School or if you completed your 8th-grade year in our religious education program, in May your parents will receive an email with instructions for registration for Confirmation preparation.
    2. Registration will be done online.
    3. Optional Discernment Interview.  If you or your child have any concerns over his/her readiness for Confirmation, we invite you to schedule a Discernment Interview with one of our staff members.  Please call the Blanca Delgado in the Youth Ministry Office to schedule this appointment: 813.689.4147.
    4. Start thinking about a qualified Sponsor, Patron Saint, and ways to get involved in the Parish.
    5. Required Parent Information Session. Attendance at one of these is required by at least one parent.  
    6. Preparation sessions begin in August.
  • 2023-2024 Confirmation Teen Preparation

    About the Process:

    Confirmation is going to become a year and a half formation process starting in 8th grade and culminating in the Sacrament of Confirmation in September of 9th grade


    Registration closes June 22, 2023. Call our Youth Ministry Office (813.689.4147) if you believe your child is eligible but you did not receive an email with registration instructions.


    YEAR 1

    1. Who?

    • NCS 8th graders
    • Nativity Faith Formation 8th graders (who have completed their 7th grade year of Faith Formation)
    • Any Nativity parishioner in 8th grade at another Catholic School
    • Nativity teens older than 8th grade who have not started Confirmation preparation

    2. What?

    • Weekly sessions going through the Chosen Confirmation material in a group setting
    • Retreat experience is required for all teens which will have opportunity for Reconciliation

    3. Where?

    • On Nativity parish’s campus.  
    • Homeschool option available

    4. When?

    • During their regular religion/faith formation class times.
    • Students at other Catholic schools or in Homeschool Faith Formation need to be sure to contact the Youth Ministry Office and be registered specifically for Confirmation Teen Preparation


  • Important Paperwork


Confirmation for Adults

Preparation for those who are 18 years old or older is offered through our Faith Formation Office. We are here to assist you! Call our office for more information: (813) 689-9101.

  • Important Information About the Process

    • How? – Preparation is offered through a series of 5-7 sessions. 
    • When? – Typically Adult Confirmation sessions are offered 2-3 times each year in English.  Clases de español se ofrecen 1-2 vezes al año.
    • Where? – Usually on campus or through zoom
    • Who is involved? – The adult seeking Confirmation and his/her Confirmation Sponsor if they live in the area.  Spouses and/or significant others are welcome to join during the process. 
    • Requirements? – (1) a copy of your baptismal certificate, (2) information regarding your current marital status.
  • Steps in the Registration Process

    • Something in your life is prompting you to seek this information.  That’s the first step!  Welcome!
    • Contact Tammy Flippo – Director of Adult Faith Formation – to learn more. 813-689-9101 or Tammy@NativityCatholicChurch.org
    • Schedule a meeting with Tammy to discuss your religious/spiritual background and past faith formation.
    • Start thinking about a qualified Sponsor, Patron Saint, and ways to get involved in the parish. If you need a Proxy for your Confirmation Sponsor, please click here.
    • Attend sessions.
    • The sacrament of Confirmation is typically celebrated at Nativity with the Bishop in January or February and by our own priest in the Easter Season in April or May.  It may be offered at other times of the year as well. 

Registration is now open for the next Confirmation Session


Please contact Tammy Flippo via email or 813.689.9101 to register.


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