Confirmation Sponsors

TITLE II.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION (Cann. 879 - 896)

From <https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib4-cann879-958_en.html>

CHAPTER IV.

SPONSORS

Can. 892 Insofar as possible, there is to be a sponsor for the person to be confirmed; the sponsor is to take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament.

Can. 893 §1. To perform the function of sponsor, a person must fulfill the conditions mentioned in Can. 874.§2. 

It is desirable to choose as sponsor the one who undertook the same function in baptism.

From <https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib4-cann879-958_en.html>

B. Sponsors

1. Sponsors for confirmation must be fully initiated into the Catholic Church via the sacraments of baptism, eucharist, and confirmation. The full initiation of the sponsor is to be verified via the proposed sponsor providing a recently issued baptismal certificate with notations; or verified by a credible witness.

2. Youth ministers are to inform their candidates at the beginning of the formation process that sponsors are to be selected in consultation with the confirmation coordinator and their parents. The selection of sponsors is to be based on appropriate lifestyle, participation in the Catholic faith, and the ability to provide the nurturing, supportive role expected of a sponsor. The sponsor may be male or female who has himself/herself been confirmed. 

3. The sponsor is to be at least 16 years of age and sufficiently mature for the role.

4. It is recommend that one of the baptismal sponsors (godparents) serve as the confirmation sponsor, so as to emphasize the relationship between baptism and confirmation. (Canon 893, #2)

5. Parishes and faith communities are to provide formation for sponsors so as to help them to understand the permanent nature of their role. This assists them to know their faith, enables them to discuss faith with their candidate, and helps them to answer questions their candidates may ask.

6. As witness to the public and permanent relationship sponsors enter into with the candidate, it is recommended that parishes provide opportunities for sponsors and candidates to participate in the preparation process together in some way. To facilitate these meetings, it is helpful if the sponsor is a local resident.

7. The sponsor must be free to celebrate the sacraments, including reception of the eucharist.

8. The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic. This includes living in a sacramental marriage (if the sponsor is married), and actively participating in parish life.

9. It is generally not advisable for a parent, spouse, fiancé(e), boyfriend, or girlfriend to serve as sponsor.

10. If the sponsor is unable to participate in the celebration of confirmation, a proxy may be designated. The proxy must fulfill the same requirements as the sponsor. The absence of the sponsor during the celebration of confirmation does not invalidate the sacrament. (See CIC, c. 892)