Some regard confirmation as a sort of spiritual graduation. Confirmation comes at the end of the successful completion of a course of study and a set of requirements that typically include a retreat and community service, and a high school or college graduation comes at the end of the successful completion of a set of academic requirements.

The confirmation “graduate” receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and an anointing; the high school graduate receives a diploma, and the college graduate receives a degree. Similar as these may seem at first glance, they are drastically different in many ways.

A graduate is no longer enrolled in the programs at their alma mater, but a confirmand is a registered member of a parish and recommits to full, active and conscious participation in its “programs,” especially Sunday Mass and the regular reception of the sacraments, as well as other “offerings” like eucharistic adoration, young adult groups and peer ministry.

A graduate’s classes are finished, but a confirmand’s learning has just begun. It would be a terrible shame to stop spiritual learning at the age of 13 to 16 and to spend one’s adult life with a confirmation-level education. With one’s appetite whetted with what was learned during confirmation classes, the confirmand eagerly forges ahead with continuing religious education: attentive listening to the Scripture readings and homilies at Mass, theology classes in high school and college, spiritual reading, Bible study, study groups, retreats and adult education programs at the parish or throughout the diocese.

A graduate usually leaves behind most of their old friends at their former school and forms a new network of friendships at the next school or new workplace, while a confirmand deepens and expands friendships at the parish. This is accomplished by mixing with fellow parishioners before or after Mass, prayer groups, serving in various ministries, volunteering on parish projects, participation in community builders and parish festivals, membership in the women’s or men’s groups, or a position on a council or a commission. Also, potential new friends at school or work may or may not share a person’s religious values, while friends at the parish are fellow Catholics who share and support the same spiritual beliefs and practices.

A graduate receives the services of teachers, professors, nurses, counselors, coaches and staff, while a confirmand generously serves others, in one’s family, at the parish, in a helping profession and in the military. He or she particularly serves the poor and disadvantaged.

A graduate may have been the recipient of a scholarship, grant or parental financial support, while a confirmand gladly and freely shares time, talent and treasure including monetary donations in appreciation for blessings received.

Grade school, high school and college are of limited duration, while a confirmand is on a lifetime journey of faith. A graduate celebrates what has been accomplished, while a confirmand looks ahead to God’s will for the future. Graduation is an ending. Confirmation is a beginning.

Father Van Sloun is pastor of St. Bartholomew in Wayzata. This column is part of an ongoing series on confirmation.