Sponsors for Confirmation
What Is The Role Of A Sponsor?
In receiving Confirmation, you are completing your initiation into the Catholic Church which began with your Baptism. Since this sacrament strengthens your bonds to the Catholic community, the Church asks each candidate to select a Confirmation sponsor to accompany him/her as they prepare for the sacrament and receive it with the Archbishop.
Much like a godparent, a sponsor is someone who will spiritually support you through his/her prayers and help witness the Catholic faith you are called to live. They are there to help motive, encourage, and guide you as you continue to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. They will also be at the Confirmation ceremony and stand with you as you receive the sacrament.
What Are The Requirements To Be A Sponsor?
Since a sponsor is meant to be a Catholic role model and witness to you, there are the worldwide requirements the Catholic Church has in order to be a sponsor:
- Sponsors must be at least 16 years old and cannot be your parent.
- Sponsors must be active and practicing Catholics (attend Mass every Saturday night or Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation) and live a life of faith according to the teachings of the Church.
- Sponsors must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
- If married, sponsors need to be married in the Catholic Church (or validly married in the eyes of the Church).
- If single, sponsors need to be living the single live chastely (not cohabitating)
Please let us know if you have someone in mind who meets these requirements or if you need help finding a sponsor. We have several parishioners here at Saint Edward who would be more than happy to be a sponsor for you.