Letter to Archbishop Thompson 2026

If they are not in the form of a letter, the archbishop will insist that they be rewritten. This letter is meant to be more than just a statement from the young person asking for the sacrament.

The candidate's letter is to reflect on their life in Christ, considering what they have learned through their lessons, responding to the focused prompts provided about the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sacred Scripture, sacred Tradition, and Catholic Social Teaching. 

Candidates are encouraged to make use of the prompts they have prepared in Sections 1 through 3 and are free to make use of these resources as they prepare their letters.

The letter must answer the following questions:
1. What does Confirmation mean to me? Why am I choosing to be confirmed?
2. What saint's name did I choose and why?
3. Whom did I choose for my sponsor and why?
4. What did I do for my service hours? What did I learn/gain from the experience?


The candidate's letter to Archbishop Thompson must include and reflect the following details:

• must have an introduction
• must be in the form of a letter; not a “form letter” or question and answer sheet
• must be in the form of a narrative style and include the date prepared, appropriate greeting and salutation, and is to be signed by the candidate in black ink
• must respond to the prompts provided
• must not exceed 2 pages, 14 font, double-spaced
• must be typed and received in PDF format by July 25. Please email file to [email protected]

WRITING THE LETTER TO ARCHBISHOP THOMPSON

The letter should be typed if possible. If the letter is handwritten it MUST BE LEGIBLE and written in ink NOT pencil. The letter must be written in paragraph form to include an opening, body and closing.

OPENING PARAGRAPH:

Required information to include:

1. Name

2. Grade, school

3. Parish

Suggested information to include but not required:

1. Family information (siblings, etc.)

2. Your hobbies

BODY OF LETTER: REQUIRED - Answer each question in paragraph format:

1. What does Confirmation mean to me? Why am I choosing to be confirmed?

2. What saint's name did I choose and why?

3. Whom did I choose for my sponsor and why?

4. What did I do for my service hours? What did I learn/gain from the experience?

CLOSING:

1. Additional thoughts you’d like to share with Archbishop such as those pertaining to your specific Confirmation or Confirmation in general

2. Be sure to sign your letter!