Confirmation Sponsor / Faith-Partner Requirements

Canonical Requirements for Sponsors (Canon 874)

 

The Universal Church specifies that a sponsor must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Be a Roman Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Baptism,  Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
• Lead an active life of faith (e.g. weekly attendance at Sunday Mass, regular reception of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, etc.).
• Not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed.

·         Godparents are the desired choice for a sponsor.

Light of Christ Requirements for Sponsors / Faith-Partners

 

• Must complete a Sponsor / Faith-Partner Registration Form.
• Non-parishioners must request a Sponsor Certificate from the pastor of their registered parish stating that they are Catholics in good standing.
• May sponsor only or be a faith-partner to one candidate. The relationship demands such a significant time commitment and personal attention from the sponsor / faith-partner that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to develop a meaningfully relationship envisioned by the Church if a sponsor / faith-partner had more than one candidate.
• Must meet with his/her candidate at least once a month .
• Sponsors / faith-partners are expected to attend the scheduled Afternoon of Recollection with their candidate.

Faith-Partner in the absence of the sponsor

If the candidate's sponsor does not live in the area, a local faith-partner is chosen who can fulfill the responsibilities of a sponsor. The faith-partner must meet the sponsor requirements and complete the proper registration form.

 

The Role of the Sponsor / Faith-Partner

 

1. The sponsor / faith-partner represents the Church to the candidate and is responsible for inviting him/her into a closer relationship with Christ and His Church.

 

2. At the time of confirmation, the sponsor / faith-partner will present the candidate to Bishop Lynch and say that he/she is ready to receive the Sacrament.

"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." (Canon 892)