Sponsor Qualifications
o Must be a Baptized Catholic and has received the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
o Is a practicing Catholic who goes to Church on a regular basis.
o Lives a good Catholic life.
o Is at least 16 years of age AND is in good standing with the Church.
o Can be a relative/sibling as long as they are at least 16 years old & in good standing with the church.
o The sponsor may NOT be the Confirmand's mother or father.
The parent can be a proxy at the Confirmation ceremony if the student's sponser is unable to attend. The sponsor's name will be on the Confirmation Certificate, not the parent.
o Request a Sponsor letter/form signed by the Pastor of the sponsor's Parish.
o Desire to take on a lifelong commitment to help the Confirmation candidate fulfill the obligations of this sacrament.
o Is a practicing Catholic who goes to Church on a regular basis.
o Lives a good Catholic life.
o Is at least 16 years of age AND is in good standing with the Church.
o Can be a relative/sibling as long as they are at least 16 years old & in good standing with the church.
o The sponsor may NOT be the Confirmand's mother or father.
The parent can be a proxy at the Confirmation ceremony if the student's sponser is unable to attend. The sponsor's name will be on the Confirmation Certificate, not the parent.
o Request a Sponsor letter/form signed by the Pastor of the sponsor's Parish.
o Desire to take on a lifelong commitment to help the Confirmation candidate fulfill the obligations of this sacrament.
What the Confirmation Sponsor Should Do:
If you have been chosen to be a Confirmation sponsor, congratulations! The Confirmation student sees in you a profound faith commitment, trusts you, and knows you are someone who will care about them and their faith. It's not all that complicated, but it does take time, a caring heart , and a listening ear. If you're a practicing, mature Catholic, here are a few suggestions on how to be the best possible sponsor for your candidate:
Write your Confirmation candidate a letter acknowledging your responsibility as a sponsor.
When a candidate for the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation chooses you to be his/her sponsor, it is not only a great honor, but a great responsibility. Writing a Confirmation letter as a sponsor helps your Confirmation candidate on his/her religious journey. It is important that you express your desire to be a part of the Confirmation process, the importance of the sacrament, words of encouragement, and any other advice that you have for the candidate as he/she grows in her faith.
Words of Encouragement
Becoming confirmed in the Catholic Faith is process of preparation. When writing a letter to your Confirmation candidate, be sure to include words of encouragement. Let him know that although the journey towards the sacrament includes work and faith exploration, you believe that he will accomplish his goal and have a rewarding experience. State that you are proud of him for participating in the sacrament and wanting to be a Soldier of Christ.
Importance of Confirmation
Include a section in your letter that explains the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation. Helping the Confirmation candidate understand the importance of the sacrament will help them become even more motivated to participate. As a sponsor, explaining the importance of Confirmation is one of your main responsibilities.
Desire to Participate
Let your Confirmation candidate know about your desire to participate in his/her Confirmation in the role of sponsor. Provide a few simple sentences that express your joy and appreciation that he/she chose you out of all the family members and friends that could have
chosen. Thank him/her for thinking of you and tell him/her how much of an honor it is for you to be selected.
Helpful Advice
Finish your letter with any helpful advice that you have for your Confirmation candidate. This advice could include a personal story about a time that you struggled with your faith, and how you turned to your pastor or another priest or other members of the church community for guidance and support. You could also write about strategies for keeping the Catholic faith alive as they enter high school. Reinforce reading the Bible, attending Mass, participating and helping with Church events, find out about others in the Parish that can use your help and assist them, participate in Bible studies and continue to grow and learn your Faith. Reiterate that the more effort he/she puts
into his/her Faith and the Church, the more he will get out of it and surely be blessed!!!
Be a living model of faith.
At least a part of what this young person admires in you is your faith! If the way you practice your faith is not what it should be, "get it together,"! If you honestly can't, this is understandable, but maybe you should decline the invitation to be a sponsor. Your life doesn't have to become artificially saintly, but your faith should be authentic and sincere.
Pray for your candidate and yourself.
As candidates decide to be Confirmed, they need spiritual strength. Your prayers for them are important, but don't forget to pray for yourself also, that you can share why you value and practice your Catholicism. Attend Mass together, or even have the courage to come to Reconciliation together.
Give of your time and share your gifts.
You'll be asked to spend time together on various activities. This may mean preparing lessons or even working on a Christian service project. You could also share your own experiences or write a letter of encouragement. Let your unique God-given talents and gifts shine! Offer a gift of spiritual significance—a new Bible, rosary or book about our faith or about the saint the candidate has chosen for a Confirmation name.
Don't miss the ceremony.
Participating in the ceremony is the easiest part of being a sponsor. Your basic job will be to place your hand on your candidate's shoulder, and tell the Bishop your candidate's Confirmation name. You're there to be a support, but your role on Confirmation day is only beginning.
Don't forget this newly Confirmed Catholic.
After Confirmation day, remember birthdays and this anniversary. Send a card or make a phone call. Continue to worship together, or from time to time do some Christian service. Put those "Gifts of the Spirit" into practice.
Write your Confirmation candidate a letter acknowledging your responsibility as a sponsor.
When a candidate for the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation chooses you to be his/her sponsor, it is not only a great honor, but a great responsibility. Writing a Confirmation letter as a sponsor helps your Confirmation candidate on his/her religious journey. It is important that you express your desire to be a part of the Confirmation process, the importance of the sacrament, words of encouragement, and any other advice that you have for the candidate as he/she grows in her faith.
Words of Encouragement
Becoming confirmed in the Catholic Faith is process of preparation. When writing a letter to your Confirmation candidate, be sure to include words of encouragement. Let him know that although the journey towards the sacrament includes work and faith exploration, you believe that he will accomplish his goal and have a rewarding experience. State that you are proud of him for participating in the sacrament and wanting to be a Soldier of Christ.
Importance of Confirmation
Include a section in your letter that explains the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation. Helping the Confirmation candidate understand the importance of the sacrament will help them become even more motivated to participate. As a sponsor, explaining the importance of Confirmation is one of your main responsibilities.
Desire to Participate
Let your Confirmation candidate know about your desire to participate in his/her Confirmation in the role of sponsor. Provide a few simple sentences that express your joy and appreciation that he/she chose you out of all the family members and friends that could have
chosen. Thank him/her for thinking of you and tell him/her how much of an honor it is for you to be selected.
Helpful Advice
Finish your letter with any helpful advice that you have for your Confirmation candidate. This advice could include a personal story about a time that you struggled with your faith, and how you turned to your pastor or another priest or other members of the church community for guidance and support. You could also write about strategies for keeping the Catholic faith alive as they enter high school. Reinforce reading the Bible, attending Mass, participating and helping with Church events, find out about others in the Parish that can use your help and assist them, participate in Bible studies and continue to grow and learn your Faith. Reiterate that the more effort he/she puts
into his/her Faith and the Church, the more he will get out of it and surely be blessed!!!
Be a living model of faith.
At least a part of what this young person admires in you is your faith! If the way you practice your faith is not what it should be, "get it together,"! If you honestly can't, this is understandable, but maybe you should decline the invitation to be a sponsor. Your life doesn't have to become artificially saintly, but your faith should be authentic and sincere.
Pray for your candidate and yourself.
As candidates decide to be Confirmed, they need spiritual strength. Your prayers for them are important, but don't forget to pray for yourself also, that you can share why you value and practice your Catholicism. Attend Mass together, or even have the courage to come to Reconciliation together.
Give of your time and share your gifts.
You'll be asked to spend time together on various activities. This may mean preparing lessons or even working on a Christian service project. You could also share your own experiences or write a letter of encouragement. Let your unique God-given talents and gifts shine! Offer a gift of spiritual significance—a new Bible, rosary or book about our faith or about the saint the candidate has chosen for a Confirmation name.
Don't miss the ceremony.
Participating in the ceremony is the easiest part of being a sponsor. Your basic job will be to place your hand on your candidate's shoulder, and tell the Bishop your candidate's Confirmation name. You're there to be a support, but your role on Confirmation day is only beginning.
Don't forget this newly Confirmed Catholic.
After Confirmation day, remember birthdays and this anniversary. Send a card or make a phone call. Continue to worship together, or from time to time do some Christian service. Put those "Gifts of the Spirit" into practice.
On-Going Roles/Responsibilities of a Confirmation Sponsor
Confirmation can be a great experience, and hopefully you've thought a lot about what this sacrament means, and how the Holy Spirit will affect your life. You'll be required to have a sponsor—someone who will guide you and share the story of faith with you.
The best person will be one of your baptismal godparents. Having one of your godparents helps us to see how Baptism and Confirmation are connected. However many young people no longer know their godparents, or they're no longer good role models, or just live too far away so you need to choose a new sponsor.
Advice to the candidates:
You're looking for someone you trust, whose faith you admire and who will be there for you. Your sponsor must be a Confirmed Catholic, at least 16 years old and practicing members of the Church, while not being your parents. This means you can choose a relative, friend, or someone from your parish as your sponsor. Take choosing your sponsor seriously, and pray about it. When you think you have the right person, ask him or her to help you grow in the Catholic faith by being your sponsor!
The best person will be one of your baptismal godparents. Having one of your godparents helps us to see how Baptism and Confirmation are connected. However many young people no longer know their godparents, or they're no longer good role models, or just live too far away so you need to choose a new sponsor.
Advice to the candidates:
You're looking for someone you trust, whose faith you admire and who will be there for you. Your sponsor must be a Confirmed Catholic, at least 16 years old and practicing members of the Church, while not being your parents. This means you can choose a relative, friend, or someone from your parish as your sponsor. Take choosing your sponsor seriously, and pray about it. When you think you have the right person, ask him or her to help you grow in the Catholic faith by being your sponsor!