CHOOSING A SPONSOR
Why do I choose a sponsor?
That’s what the early Church did.
The Apostles and earliest disciples would often “mentor” new disciples into the faith. Becoming a follower of Christ was a big deal, so they wanted to help new Christians as much as possible. Giving them that one-on-one attention would help them see how a Christian lived, how they talked, how they did every little thing in their life differently that made them a follower of Christ.
An internship of faith.
Just like the Apostles in the early Church, Sponsors are called to the great honor and responsibility of mentoring their confirmand in the faith. A Sponsor is more than “the person who stands behind them when they get confirmed.” The Sponsor is called by God to mentor the confirmand, to show them how a Catholic Christian speaks and lives in today’s world, to pray for them, and guide them each step of the way. It’s kind of like the confirmand is getting an internship of faith!
The Apostles and earliest disciples would often “mentor” new disciples into the faith. Becoming a follower of Christ was a big deal, so they wanted to help new Christians as much as possible. Giving them that one-on-one attention would help them see how a Christian lived, how they talked, how they did every little thing in their life differently that made them a follower of Christ.
An internship of faith.
Just like the Apostles in the early Church, Sponsors are called to the great honor and responsibility of mentoring their confirmand in the faith. A Sponsor is more than “the person who stands behind them when they get confirmed.” The Sponsor is called by God to mentor the confirmand, to show them how a Catholic Christian speaks and lives in today’s world, to pray for them, and guide them each step of the way. It’s kind of like the confirmand is getting an internship of faith!
How do I choose a sponsor?
Pray.
As always, ask the Holy Spirit to help you know who to choose. You’re not just picking the first person the pops into your head. God has already prepared someone specifically just for you. And if you pray about your decision, you’ll be much more likely to pick the best person.
Who to choose?
As you think about who you may want as your Confirmation Sponsor, consider the following. Sit down and give your self some time to go through the process listed below:
As always, ask the Holy Spirit to help you know who to choose. You’re not just picking the first person the pops into your head. God has already prepared someone specifically just for you. And if you pray about your decision, you’ll be much more likely to pick the best person.
Who to choose?
As you think about who you may want as your Confirmation Sponsor, consider the following. Sit down and give your self some time to go through the process listed below:
- List people (16 years or older) you can really talk to.
- List people who encourage you.
- List people who want to be close to God.
- Circle ones you know are confirmed Catholics.
- Now take the list and pray about it.
- Be quiet after you ask for Him to help you decide so He can answer.
- Ask God to help you make a good decision. He knows what is best for you.
- Try not to have a vested interest in whom you decide on (like I want my Aunt Mary because she is cool and will give me nice presents).
- Ask that person and ask them to pray about it before they answer.
- Make sure you tell them what the expectations of them are. Show them the calendar of formation nights and requirements they will need to help you with. They may want to be your sponsor but have other commitments that make it impossible. That’s OK – just ask them to pray for you over the year. A prayer warrior is always needed.
Guidelines FOR CHOOSING A SPONSOR...
A Sponsor must...
Although it's ideal, a Sponsor does not...
- Be at least 16 years old by the time the teen is confirmed.
- Be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.
- Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation (i.e. confession), the Eucharist (i.e. first communion) and Confirmation by the time the teen is confirmed.
- Not be the teen's parent.
Although it's ideal, a Sponsor does not...
- Need to live nearby.
- Have to be able to attend the Confirmation day itself. A "proxy" can stand in for them if they are unable to attend.
STUCK? Still don't know who to choose?
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SPONSOR REGISTRATIONWhen you're ready to choose your Sponsor, please use the the Sponsor Registration Form. Your Sponsor needs to fill this form out themselves, so please send them to this page and tell them to select the button below...
Sponsor Registration
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