Confirmation

[Arwen037]

I am considering converting to Catholicism. I was wondering if you need a sponser if you are converting? If so do they actually have to be 18? Because I am limited on choices. I have a Catholic dad (turned athiest), a Catholic step-dad (who hates the Catholic church and is considering converting), teachers at my school (none of whom I’m particuarly close to), and then some of my friends who are 15.

 

[otm]

Yes, you should have a sponsor. You don’t have to dredge one up. the parish will do that.

 

[Arwen037]

Okay. Then my next question would be is it acceptable for my baptised, confirmed, practicing 15 year old friend to sponser me? It is kinda due to conversations and discussions with them that I am considering it.

 

[puzzleannie]

Arwen037:

I am considering converting to Catholicism. I was wondering if you need a sponser if you are converting? If so do they actually have to be 18? Because I am limited on choices. I have a Catholic dad (turned athiest), a Catholic step-dad (who hates the Catholic church and is considering converting), teachers at my school (none of whom I’m particuarly close to), and then some of my friends who are 15.

if you are a baptized Christian in another denomination who is entering into full communion with the Catholic church, or if you are an unbaptized person seeking to become Catholic, you will go through the RCIA process and a sponsor from the parish, who represents the community, will be accompany you for most of the journey. This person may become your confirmation sponsor, or baptismal godparent, if there is no one close to you who is eligible.

 

[Arwen037]

What are the requirements for a confirmation sponsor?

 

[The_Candidate]

I am currently an RCIA Candidate and I have 2 daughters who have been confirmed, one just last month. When my 2nd daughter chose her confirmation sponsor, she chose her older sister, who was 17 at the time. I think you have to be 16 and Confirmed in order to Sponsor. Although for an RCIA Candidate, the church may prefer an adult and will assign a qualified individual to you. I know in my RCIA group, they preferred that spouses NOT be sponsors, so I would think the same would hold true for a child. I would suggest you speak to the person in charge at your parish and perhaps you could meet a potential sponsor in advance of joining the classes. Good luck - the process is wonderful, I hope you continue your journey!

 

[tee_eff_em]

Arwen037:

What are the requirements for a confirmation sponsor?

Can. 874 §1 To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1° be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;

2° be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made;

3° be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;

4° not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;

5° not be either the father or the mother of the person to be baptised.

§2 A baptised person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism.

 

[Arwen037]

Thank you. That was very helpful.

 

[Arwen037]

How old do you have to be to take RCIA?

 

[SMHW]

Arwen037:

How old do you have to be to take RCIA?

That sort of depends on what you mean by “Take RCIA”.

As far as the actual rites that occur, anyone over the age of reason, (generally considered to be about age 7) should baptized according to them. Most baptized Christians received into the Church after reaching the age of reason will probably follow similar rites.

If you are asking about preparation classes, which are often labeled ‘RCIA’, then it it would depend on the local diocese and parish as to how to structure the program.

In my parish, everyone over the age of reason goes through the rites but only those of about age 18 or greater go to adult classes. Those younger than 18 would attend the religious instruction classes for their age group. In addition, all Candidates and Catechumans are dismissed from Mass following the Prayer of the Faithful for instruction. The adults have different instruction than the kids. I’m not sure where this particular dividing line between children and adults is drawn but I think it is probably around age 14.