Confirmations

Confirmations

the dome in spring with flowers

St Paul’s offers two confirmation services each year for those who attend churches within the Diocese of London

Confirmation is one important way in which Christians affirm their faith. 

In the Church of England, confirmation is always administered by a bishop, before whom candidates renew their baptismal vows and declare their commitment to life in the Church. At confirmation, the Bishop will invoke the Holy Spirit upon each candidate.

For those who have been initiated into the Church through baptism as young children, confirmation provides an opportunity to own this decision for themselves. If you wish to be confirmed but have not already been initiated into the Church, you can be baptised by the Bishop within the confirmation service itself.

Who can be confirmed?

All Christians worshipping within the Diocese of London are eligible to be confirmed at St Paul’s Cathedral. However, we ask that candidates for confirmation are sponsored by their parish priest and that they undergo a period of preparation. 

If you have not been baptised, you may be baptised and confirmed within the same service. Those who have been baptised and confirmed by a bishop in another denomination can be received into the Church of England at a confirmation service.

There is no strict age limit for confirmation candidates. However, you will need to be able to understand the promises that you are making. 

When do confirmations happen?

There are two confirmation services each year at St Paul’s –  one in late October or early November, and the other at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. These services usually take place in the late afternoon or evening and last around 90 minutes.

What data do you collect and why?

We collect certain personal data from you to:

  • organise the confirmation service
  • record the confirmation as required by the Church of England.

Who we share the information with

Data on our confirmation forms will be held securely by St Paul’s Cathedral and will only be shared with three members of staff who need this information in order to arrange the confirmation service.

A copy of your form will be given to the confirming Bishop so they can know something of the candidates.

How long we keep it for

The confirmation register will be kept permanently and moved to archive after 2 years. Forms will be destroyed immediately after the confirmation. Details relating to the event organisation will be kept for no longer than 5 years.

Some details may be transferred to archive for review and stored for historical purposes. We will not keep your personal information for longer than necessary for our business purposes or for legal requirements. Please refer to a more detailed privacy notice on the St Paul’s Cathedral website.

How do I get confirmed at St Paul’s?

The next confirmation service is on Saturday 4th November 2023. 

Prior to your confirmation, we ask that you complete and return the confirmation enquiry forms below, which we provide in PDF and Doc format. 

You also need to ensure the support of your parish priest, who will present you at the service and may need to provide proof of baptism, for example, your certificate. We provide a guidance document for clergy below. 

Candidates under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times whilst in the Cathedral. 

Please email your completed form to: confirmations@stpaulscathedral.org.uk. 
 

Confirmation Form November 2023.pdf

Confirmation Form November 2023.doc

Confirmation November 2023 Information for Clergy.pdf

More on faith