What is Confirmation School?

Confirmation school, or rippikoulu, is an important part of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church and is organized by local parishes. It is a special time for 15-year-olds across Finland to explore faith, life, and their personal values in a welcoming and supportive community. At the end of Confirmation school, the youth is celebrated in a confirmation service with friends and family.

Approximately 80% of Finnish teenagers participate in confirmation classes, making it a shared cultural and spiritual experience. The most popular format is the confirmation camp, where participants spend a week in a camp environment, engaging in lessons, discussions, activities, and worship. Other options include day confirmation classes or private sessions for those unable to attend a camp. Participation is open to everyone, even those who are not members of the church, allowing all young people the opportunity to explore Christian faith in a welcoming environment. Also those who have not been baptized can be baptized during confirmation school.

While most confirmation schools are in Finnish, the Church in Vantaa offers an English-language confirmation camp at Vantaankoski Parish. While everyone is welcome to the International Confirmation Camp, the camp is popular with those who prefer to speak English or have an international background.

The goal of confirmation school is to enhance participants' knowledge of the Christian faith, build a sense of community, and inspire thoughtful reflection on life's important questions. Confirmation school (Ripari) concludes with the confirmation ceremony. It is a celebration shared by the young person and their loved ones. After the confirmation, the young person can independently participate in Holy Communion. They also gain the right to serve as a godparent and get married in the church.