Information Regarding Sponsors

Why Choose a Sponsor?

From the earliest days of the Church, people seeking communion with the Church were supported by specific people chosen from the community.  When we are baptized, those special people are our parents and godparents (baptismal sponsors).  They promise to raise us in the faith, and because we couldn’t speak at such a young age, they professed their faith.  In Confirmation, we speak for ourselves and renew our baptismal promises.  And, at Confirmation, we will also be supported by a sponsor who will stand with us and present us to the Bishop.

The Church encourages you to choose, if possible, one of your baptismal godparents to be your sponsor for Confirmation because this expresses more clearly the link between Baptism and Confirmation.  You can, however, choose another person to act as your sponsor.  Keep in mind that the person you choose should:

•   Be close enough to you to have been supportive of your life so far;

•   Is a baptized Catholic who has received Eucharist and Confirmation;

•   Is a practicing Catholic who participates in the Eucharistic celebration (Mass) every Sunday;

•   Lives a good Catholic life;

•   Is at least 17 years of age.

Choosing a Sponsor

The person you choose to be your sponsor should know you well enough to be able to testify before the community, that you are someone who wishes to be fully incorporated into the Church as a believing, practicing Catholic; that you are a person who takes part faithfully in the Church’s worship, witness, and mission.  When you are anointed with the Chrism during your Confirmation your sponsor will be beside you with a hand placed on your shoulder as a sign of your spiritual relationship.

If you have not yet chosen your sponsor, now is an excellent time to think about your choice.  Ask yourself the following questions:

•   Do I feel comfortable with this person being my sponsor?

•   Does this person live near enough to me to be able to truly guide and support me?

•  Will this person be willing and able to be my sponsor?

•  Will this person take an active role in my faith life?

 Think of several people you might choose.  Write their names and some thoughts about each one.  Reflect on what you have written before you make your decision.  Additionally, be aware that the Church has established certain criteria for anyone who desires to act as sponsor:

• All students who will receive their Confirmation are required to choose one sponsor.
• The person who will act as sponsor "must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it" (Code of Canon Law 874 §1)
• Must be at least 17 years of age.
• "Must be a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken" (Code of Canon Law 874 §1 No. 3).
• Parents cannot act as sponsors (Code of Canon Law 874 §1 No. 5)
• Non Catholic persons may not act as sponsors (Code of Canon Law 874 §2)
• Proof of the above must be submitted to the Office of Religious Education.

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