What is the role of the Confirmation Sponsor?

Your role as a sponsor can be traced back to the time of early church.  Originally, the sponsor played a key role in a person’s conversion to Christianity. In times of Christian persecution, when faith and conversion had to be kept secret, the “sponsor’” who was known to be a person of faith, spoke on behalf of the candidate and attested to the person’s knowledge of and commitment to the faith. The sponsor promised that they knew the candidate was indeed sincere in his or her desire to become a Christian. 

Through the years, the role has changed but one fact has not changed.  The Confirmation Sponsor is still a person of strong faith, and lives a life that shows a devotion to Jesus’ teachings. Through example and in interaction, the sponsor can help guide the candidate to grow in their faith, and make a commitment to keep God central in their lives. As a friend, role model and helper, the sponsor can guide the candidate on a life-long journey of faith.

 

Requirements of a Confirmation Sponsor:

A sponsor must, as Canon 874 states:

† Have the qualifications and intention of performing this role.

† Have completed their sixteenth year.

† Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist

† Leads a life in harmony with their faith

† Accepts the role of sponsor to be undertaken

† Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared

† Not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed.

“As a rule there should be a sponsor for each of those to be confirmed. These sponsors bring the candidates to receive the sacrament, present them to the minister for the anointing, and will later help them to fulfill their baptismal promises faithfully under the influence of the Holy Spirit whom they have received.” (The Rite of Confirmation #5)


SPONSOR & CANDIDATE IDEAS FOR SHARE ACTIVITIES AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH

† Attend mass together and spend time reflecting and discussing the readings

† Participate in a Service Project together

† Attend a retreat together

† Plan to experience the grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation 

† Watch & discuss a movie together with a (metaphorically) Confirmation theme:

  • The Winslow Boy
  • Whale Rider
  • Spider-Man II

† Make a pilgrimage together by visiting one or more of the many Catholic churches, chapels or shrines in our area:

  • Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago
  • Marytown: The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Libertyville
  •  Old St. Pat’s, Chicago
  •  St. James Chapel, (Archbishop Quigley Center), Chicago (Sunday afternoon tours)
  • The National Shrine of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, Chicago
  •  The Shrine of All Saints, Morton Grove (relics of over 1500 saints)
  •  The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, Chicago

† Read & discuss an article or book related to the candidate’s Confirmation Patron Saint

 

GOING BEYOND THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Being a Confirmation Sponsor provides you with an excellent time to deepen your own relationship with God by stepping back and reflecting  on your own faith. Since faith is a life-long journey, everyone can benefit from opportunities to expand and grow along the way. 

If your spiritual life could use a ‘jump start’ try:

† Stopping by a Catholic gift shop or your parish to pick up a pamphlet or book that may interest you

† These websites offer daily meditations

† Popular Catholic Apps:

  • Laudate
  • Truth & Life
  • Catholic Mega App
  • Catholic Church App

† Talk to your own parish priest and let him know you will be a sponsor for someone and ask for guidance if you feel you need it.

 

IMPORTANT DATES*

Candidate, Parent & Sponsor Meeting

  • Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 1:15pm (following the 12pm Mass)

Confirmation Rehearsal (Confirmation Candidates & Sponsors)

  • Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 7pm (Last Names TBA)
  • Thursday, April 10, 2024 at 7pm (Last Names TBA)

Confirmation Liturgy Saturday, April 13, 2024

  • 10am (Last names TBA)
  • 2 pm (Last names TBA)