What is a Confirmation Sponsor?

A Confirmation sponsor is a special person who serves as a spiritual mentor and guide for a young person preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. They walk alongside the candidate on their faith journey, helping them to grow in their relationship with God and to understand what it means to be a committed Catholic. A sponsor is a trusted friend and role model who represents the entire Church community, offering encouragement and support long after the Confirmation day.

What are the wonderful responsibilities of a sponsor?

The role of a sponsor is a beautiful and meaningful commitment. Sponsors are invited to:

• Be a Spiritual Companion: Guide the candidate in their faith, helping them discover the richness of Catholic tradition and fostering a deeper, more personal connection with God.

• Be an Inspiring Role Model: Lead a life that is a living example of faith in action, demonstrating what it means to be an active and joyful Catholic.

• Provide Heartfelt Support: Offer prayerful encouragement and unwavering support, not just during the preparation period, but throughout the candidate's life.

• Stand with the Candidate: Joyfully present the candidate to the Bishop during the Confirmation ceremony, symbolizing their support and belief in the candidate's journey.

• Welcome Them into the Community: Extend the warm welcome of our parish community by attending Confirmation meetings and activities, helping the candidate feel connected and supported.

Who can be a Confirmation sponsor?

Choosing a sponsor is a significant decision. The Church asks that a sponsor be someone who can truly embrace this role. They must:

• Be a fully initiated Catholic, having received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.

• Be at least 16 years old.

• Be someone other than the candidate's parent.

• Be a practicing Catholic who is registered in a parish, regularly attends Sunday Mass, receives the Eucharist, and takes advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

• Be living a life that is in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church. For those who are married, this means being in a marriage recognized by the Church.

Can a parent be a sponsor for their own child?

No, while parents are the first and most important teachers of the faith, the sponsor's role is to offer a different kind of spiritual guidance. This ensures the candidate has another trusted adult in their life to help them navigate their faith journey.

Should the sponsor be the same as the baptismal godparent?

The Church highly encourages choosing one of the godparents from Baptism to serve as the Confirmation sponsor. This beautiful tradition highlights the seamless connection between the two sacraments and shows the sponsor's lifelong commitment to nurturing the candidate's faith from the very beginning.

What if my chosen sponsor lives far away?

We understand that you may have a loved one you wish to choose who lives at a distance. While it is ideal for a sponsor to be local so they can regularly meet with the candidate, the parish may offer a "proxy sponsor" to attend Confirmation meetings and activities on behalf of your chosen sponsor. This ensures the candidate receives the in-person support they need during the preparation process.

First Retreat is Feburary 20 to 22 ending with 5 PM mass. 

Second Retreat is March 6 to 8 ending with 5 PM mass.