The first Confirmations following a diocesan policy that lowered the sacrament to ages nine and 10 were held Saturday, April 25 at Columbus St. Patrick Church.
Bishop Earl K. Fernandes served as the celebrant.
The bishop Confirmed 87 children between fourth and sixth grades at the downtown parish church. The youngest recipient of the sacrament was in second grade.
Second graders can receive Confirmation per request of the child’s parent and pastor, and if readiness for reception of the sacrament is determined.
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Lowering the age for the sacrament follows a June 2025 letter released by the Office of the Bishop. Last summer, Bishop Fernandes announced his decision to lower the age of Confirmation in the diocese to fourth grade.
“It is imperative now more than ever to address the necessity to form our families in the Catholic faith and reconcile their faith with Jesus Christ and His Church,” the bishop wrote.
“Children need to be exposed to the awe and wonder of God at a much earlier age and recognize their inherent value and worth as a child of God created in His image and likeness.”
More than two years prior, Bishop Fernandes formed a committee consisting of the diocesan Offices of Evangelization and Catechesis, Divine Worship and Catholic Schools in consultation with the Presbyteral Council, deans and various Catholic school and parish representatives.
The committee discussed the possibility of lowering the age of reception. Its members reached a unanimous conclusion, affirming a decision to reduce the age to fourth grade.
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“The rationale behind this process was to address the growing concern of children becoming disaffiliated and indifferent to the teachings of the Catholic Church at a younger age,” Dr. Marlon De La Torre, senior director for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, said in June.
“The result of the committee’s investigative work … concluded the necessity to form a child in their Catholic faith at an earlier stage of their development.”
St. Patrick Church, part of the diocese’s Deanery 6, Center-South Columbus, was the first parish to hold the sacrament following the new diocesan policy. Other parishes in Deanery 6 will celebrate the sacrament this spring per new policy guidelines.
The diocese’s 10 deaneries are set to initiate the process during a three-year span.
The center-south deanery was selected by Bishop Fernandes as the first after consultation with the Offices of Evangelization and Catechesis and Divine Worship.
“Deanery 6 provided the most practical entryway to initiate the new Confirmation policy in reference to the number of candidates to prepare, training of the parish, catechists and logistical execution of the new policy,” De La Torre said.
The diocese will follow a descending order for the next three years to administer the sacrament.
The age for Confirmation will be lowered by a grade level each year until only children in fourth grade receive the sacrament.
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This year, children in grades seven and eight are included in the mandate.
St. Patrick Church, however, traditionally Confirmed candidates in sixth grade. As a result, no seventh or eighth graders in the parish received the sacrament.
In year two (2026-27) of the three-year process, children in fourth, sixth and seventh grades will be Confirmed. During year three (2027-28), fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students will receive the sacrament.
All students will be prepared for Confirmation at age nine or 10, in fourth grade, by the end of year three.
“Confirmation candidates in preparation for reception of the sacraments will be assessed to determine sacramental readiness,” De La Torre said, including “spiritual, doctrinal and liturgical awareness and a genuine desire to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.”
“The administration of the sacrament is not based on human maturity but on the internal conversion of the child who willingly desires to have an active sacramental relationship with Jesus Christ,” Bishop Fernandes wrote.
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Formation for Confirmation will be held in the fall. Reception of the sacrament will take place each spring.
Year two of implementation will include Deanery 4, South; Deanery 8, North High/Northland; and Deanery 9, West Columbus.
For 2027-28, the remaining deaneries will initiate the policy: Deanery 1, Marion, Morrow, Delaware, Union and Madison counties; Deanery 5, Licking County; Deanery 7, Northwest Columbus; Deanery 2, Tuscarawas, Holmes, Knox and Coshocton counties; Deanery 3, Fairfield, Hocking, Muskingum and Perry counties; and Deanery 10, East Columbus.