Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor
Choosing your Confirmation sponsor is an important step. Your sponsor will support and help you as you prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. On the night of Confirmation, your sponsor will sit with you during the liturgy. He/she will present you to the Bishop for anointing with the chrism oil. After Confirmation, your sponsor will continue to be an integral part of your faith journey through prayer, witness, and support.
Who can be a sponsor?
- Your godmother or godfather may be your sponsor. (These should be the first ones you consider.)
- Sponsors must be at least 16 years old.
- Sponsors must be confirmed Catholics who are in good standing with the Church.
- Sponsors should be active members of their own parish.
- Your parents may not be your sponsor, but other relatives may.
What do I look for in a sponsor?
- A person who really lives his/her faith.
- Someone who is a role model for you when it comes to living out your faith.
- Someone who is available to take the time to help you in preparing for Confirmation.
- A person with whom you have a comfortable and ongoing relationship.
What if my sponsor lives out of town?
Sometimes, a Confirmation candidate has a close spiritual relationship with someone who would make a great sponsor but lives out of town. There are several factors to consider when choosing an out of town sponsor.
- How often will I get to see my sponsor?
- Will we be able to communicate via email or phone?
- Will my sponsor be able to come to special events for sponsors and candidates?
- Will my sponsor be able to come to the Confirmation liturgy?
- Will I keep in touch with my sponsor after Confirmation also?
What if I don’t know who to pick?
You may ask your parents or your catechists for suggestions. They will probably be able to suggest a few potential sponsors for you. Listen to their suggestions and then pray about whom to ask. The final choice needs to be your decision.
What do I do next?
Now it is time to call your potential sponsor! Most sponsors are honored to be chosen, but this is also a choice that your sponsor makes. Call (or meet with) your sponsor and explain that you are preparing for Confirmation in the spring and would like to ask him/her to be your sponsor. It is as simple as that! Be sure to let your sponsor know of any dates such as Confirmation or other meetings/events as soon as those dates are made available. And remember to pray for your sponsor….your sponsor will certainly be praying for you!
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