In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Confirmation – The Inner Life – April 30, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Confirmation

  • What is a Sacrament?
  • (5:12) What is Confirmation?
  • What are some misconceptions about confirmation?
  • (13:19) Laura – I’m 57 and converted when I was 19. My mom was Catholic and dad was Lutheran. We didn’t have formal RCIA at that time. Feel like I missed something in the process. I did get a certificate of confirmation from the church. My kids are in Catholic school and I’ve learned so much from them.

(20:00) Break 1

  • Sandra – Born in Mexico. Confirmation and baptism was done at the same time. I just want to make sure that is valid when you don’t have full knowledge of your confirmation.
  • (24:20) David – I taught CCD for a number of years. Some weren’t interested in becoming confirmed, How is grace confirmed at confirmation when they are accepting it but not really wanted?
  • Katie – I made my first communion in April of the 1960s…three weeks later I made confirmation because the bishop only came every 4 years.
  • (30:46) How is Confirmation a missionary Sacrament?
  • John – I was confirmed in 72. I remember we being nervous. Reaffirming that you had attitudes of people being bored, but others being nervous and perhaps more serious about it.
  • John – I have fond memories about it. I was an altar boy and when I was confirmed I was able to be a lector. Very rewarding. It forced me to learn and study the readings.

(40:15) Break 2

  • Why does the Bishop need to be the one to Confirm people?
  • (44:05) John – Question: I recently got confirmed but my wife and I were supposed to get convalidated. I was wondering about the process and whether that is true or not.
  • Who can be confirmed?
  • Niki – Confirmed in 2014. Felt so much joy and cried happy tears. Daughter was my sponsor. I became catholic when Pope Francis stepped out on the balcony. Felt the holy spirit tell me I had to become Catholic.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.