It is an honor and privilege to be chosen as a Confirmation Sponsor. The Sponsor will be a witness to the Confirmation Candidate’s initiation into full Christian life. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Candidate is strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, made a true witness of Christ in word and deed, and invited more deeply into the life of the Church.
“… The sponsor brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, presents him/her to the minister for the anointing, and will later help him/ her to fulfill his/ her baptismal promises faithfully under the influences of the Holy Spirit.” (Rite of Confirmation. Introduction #5)
“The sponsor’s function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the duties of this sacrament.” (Code of Cannon Law #892)
Requirements for a Confirmation Sponsor
The sponsor must be a Catholic who has celebrated the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation.
The sponsor must be 16 years of age or older.
The sponsor must be selected (by Candidate) and have the intention of fulfilling the duties of the role.
The sponsor must regularly participate in Sunday Mass & regularly receive Holy Communion.
If married, the sponsor's marriage must be in full communion with the Catholic Church.
The sponsor must be striving to fully, actively, and consciously participate in the moral and sacramental life of the Catholic Church.
The sponsor may not be the parent of the Candidate.
The Long Form of the sponsor's baptism record, which will include the other sacraments (s)he has received, must be furnished to the parish office one month prior to the celebration of Confirmation.
The completed form attesting to the sponsor's practicing the faith and signed by the sponsor's pastor must be furnished to the parish office one month prior to the celebration.
The Role of the Sponsor
The sponsor is to be a role model of Christian living for the candidate. This is demonstrated through daily prayer, a habit of virtue, and active participation in parish life and liturgy.
The sponsor will nurture a close personal and spiritual relationship with the Candidate during the Confirmation preparation year and throughout life.
The sponsor should regularly listen to and share in the Candidate's maturing struggles and triumphs in living a Christian life, and should keep informed on Catholic Christian doctrine and values to be able to answer questions when they arise.