Sponsor

Thank you for being willing to walk with your Candidate as they prepare for Confirmation.  The Archdiocese has not yet assigned a date for our confirmation and will not do so until the spring.

You should have received a sponsor booklet from your confirmand. It has guidelines for encouraging your candidate’s journey of faith, tips for talking with your candidate and much more. For example:

·       Page 7 you will find a list of 3 things a sponsor should do and an explanation of each. 

·       Page 14 is entitled “How do I talk to a teenager about faith, Jesus, and moral issues.  I am sure that you will find that helpful.

There are 4 recommended conversations to have with your candidate.

1.       The Way Page 20

2.       The Truth  Page 23

3.       The Life Page 26

4.       Mystagogy Page 29

Sponsor Responsibilities

According to the Archdiocese of St Paul, the primary responsibility of the sponsor is to provide the candidate prayerful support and guidance in his or her Christian walk and to “take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament” (canon 892).  That sounds great but how does one accomplish this?

Being a sponsor is a lifelong commitment. A sponsor takes on the role of a spiritual parent who “brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, presents him to the minister for the anointing, and will later help him to fulfill his baptismal promises faithfully under the influence of the Holy Spirit” (Rite of Confirmation 5).

Some of the responsibilities of a sponsor to the candidate ​before confirmation:

• Be a convinced, enthusiastic Catholic ​who lives a life of faith, and is committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of a sponsor.

• Pray regularly for and with the candidate, showing him/her how to pray by example.​

• Attend all the confirmation classes, retreats, or special liturgies offered.

• Cultivate a supportive and encouraging relationship with the confirmand.

• Be involved in the catechetical preparation of the candidate with great heart and dedication.

• Have knowledge of the personal faith of the candidate and share your own faith experience.

• Lead and guide the candidate to a personal relationship with the Lord and to a deeper familiarity “with the Holy Spirit—his actions, his gifts, and his biddings—in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life” (CCC 1309).

Some of the responsibilities of a sponsor to the confirmed after confirmation:

• Maintain regular contact with the confirmed by phone, email. Also, sending a card on the anniversary of his/her confirmation.

• Pray regularly for the confirmed and when possible pray with him/her.

• Help the confirmed to learn how to experience a deeper prayer life (e.g. eucharistic adoration).

• Encourage participation in the life of the Church, especially through his/her parish.

• Continue ongoing catechesis (e.g., sharing good books) and be available for questions.

• Help the confirmed to understand how to bear witness to Christ in the world and to fulfill his/her baptismal promises faithfully through the Holy Spirit.

Confirmation Day Responsibilities

The sponsor will sit with the confirmand in an assigned seat.  

The sponsor will go with the confirmand when the ushers guides them.

The sponsor presents the person to be confirmed  by placing his/her right hand on shoulder of the confirmand and saying:

(Archbishop/Bishop/Father) I present N. (use the Confirmation name) to you for Confirmation. 

SPEAK THE  NAME LOUDLY AND CLEARLY

Archbishop/Bishop/Father:  N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The newly confirmed: Amen.

Archbishop/Bishop/Father: Peace be with you.

The newly confirmed: And with your spirit.