Communion before confirmation

York Minster welcomes children into communion before confirmation in keeping with established practice across the Church of England. There is a preparation day (usually immediately before the service where children are welcomed into communion) when there is an opportunity to explore our faith journey, the meaning of baptism and of communion.

Confirmation

Some young people, baptised as babies, want to have the opportunity to say for themselves what was said on their behalf by their parents and godparents at their baptism. This is called confirmation. This is a very special service always conducted by a bishop. In the autumn each year we run an Exploring Christianity group for children at the Minster School and many who attend this decide to be confirmed at a confirmation service in the Minster at the end of November. In the early spring we run a similar course for any young people in the Minster community, usually those approaching the end of primary school or having just started secondary school. Most youngsters who share in this course are confirmed in the Minster on Easter Eve.

Sometimes adults who were baptised as infants want to be confirmed and we run Exploring Christianity courses for them also in the autumn and in the weeks leading up to Easter.

To find our more, contact the Canon Pastor, the Revd Canon Michael Smith at michaels@yorkminster.org.