Diocesan Confirmation Retreat

Saturday 11-01-2025 - Saturday 01-31-2026

All Day

Register Here!

What is a Diocesan Confirmation Retreat?

To assist parishes with Confirmation retreats for 2025-2026, the diocese has partnered with two groups to offer a one-day retreat opportunity. The retreats in November (Lynchburg & Powhatan) will be run by Life Teen Missions, while the retreat in January (Virginia Beach) will be run by Missioners of Christ.. These retreats can be used as the complete parish retreat OR as a make-up retreat.

Who should attend the Diocesan Confirmation Retreats?

The Diocesan Confirmation Retreat is for high school youth who are currently in preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the winter/spring of 2026.

Middle school youth and those graduated from high school are not eligible for these retreats.

Where and when are the Diocesan Confirmation Retreats?

We will offer three Diocesan Confirmation Retreats during the 2025-2026 school year. All retreats will be led by a Life Teen Missions Outreach Team.

Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Saint Thomas More, Lynchburg
Sunday, November 2, 2025, at The Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School, Powhatan
Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Saint Mark, Virginia Beach

What is the agenda of the day?

The retreat will include talks, ice breakers, small group discussion, lunch, prayer, and Mass at the parish/school.

Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Saint Thomas More, Lynchburg:

Registration will begin at 9:30am.
The retreat will start promptly at 10:00am and end at the close of the 5:00pm parish Vigil Mass.
In addition to the retreat, the day will include lunch, snacks, and Vigil Mass at the parish.

Sunday, November 2, 2025, at The Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School, Powhatan:

Registration will begin at 9:30am.
The retreat will start promptly at 10:00am and end at the close of the 5:00pm Mass.
In addition to the retreat, the day will include lunch, snacks, and an evening Mass held in the school gym.

Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Saint Mark, Virginia Beach:

Registration will begin at 10:30am.
The retreat will start promptly at 11:00am and end at the close of the parish 5:30pm Vigil Mass.
In addition to the retreat, the day will include lunch, snacks, and Vigil Mass at the parish.

Do adults need to attend with their youth?

Yes! Each parish should send 1 adult for every 8 youth or part thereof. Most adult chaperones will be asked to lead a small group. The Life Teen Missions/Missioners of Christ Team and the Retreat Facilitator will give a brief overview and tips for the adult small group leaders at the beginning of the retreat. However, the parish Youth Minister or Confirmation Coordinator should be prudent in choosing adult chaperones who have a basic understanding of relational ministry before attending this retreat. If only sending 1 or 2 youth, consider asking one of their parents or Confirmation sponsors.

The cost is $15 per adult. All adults attending need to be registered online. Any adults who attend are required to be in compliance with diocesan safe environment policies (including background checks and VIRTUS training).

What is Life Teen Missions?

Life Teen missionaries have been formed as missionary disciples who are committed to the mission of leading teens closer to Christ. Their Outreach Team consists of missionaries who have completed at least one year of formation with Life Teen Missions. You can find out more at https://lifeteen.com/missions/outreach-team-retreats/.

What is Missioners of Christ?

Missioners of Christ is a Catholic Christian community that has been formed to walk with one another in our common call to holiness and to fulfill Great Commission of Christ: to make disciples of all nations. They provide healing and conversion retreats, leadership formation, discipleship for youth and adults, short and long-term mission opportunities, and outreach to the poor and marginalized. They were founded in Virginia Beach in 1999. You can find out more at https://www.missionersofchrist.org/.

What is the registration fee?

The registration fee per participant is listed below:

Youth Participants: $45
Adult Participants: $15
Substitution Fee: $10

PLEASE NOTE: Cancellations are non-refundable, regardless of reason for cancellation. Substitutions can be made for a given retreat date until the corresponding registration deadline.

What does this registration fee cover?

The participant registration fee covers the following:

Admission to the retreat
Lunch
Snacks

How do I register and what are the registration deadlines?

All youth must register through their parish youth ministry coordinator. The registration process includes three steps:

Registration Form: Print out and distribute the registration form from evangelizerichmond.org. DO NOT SEND THESE TO THE OFFICE FOR EVANGELIZATION.
Register Participants via the Online Registration System: Registration will open in Fall 2025. Please note that space is limited for each retreat; all registration is first come, first served. (These retreats will most likely fill up, so register earlier rather than later!) All registrations must be entered online by the following deadlines, based on retreat date.

Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Saint Thomas More, Lynchburg
- Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 12:00noon

Sunday, November 2, 2025, at The Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School, Powhatan
- Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 12:00noon

Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Saint Mark, Virginia Beach
- Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 12:00noon

Send payments to the Office for Evangelization: All payments should be sent as soon as the participant is registered. When sending in your payment, be sure to include your parish name and the list of participants for whom the payment applies. Any unpaid registration fees will be invoiced to the parish.

Where do I go for questions or additional support?

For all questions or support, contact the Office for Evangelization directly via email at [email protected] OR via phone at 804-622-5159.