How many Candidates can you Sponsor

[JosephInTheHous]

Here’s a question I haven’t been able to find before

So I teach a confirmation class and was asked by 4 of my students to sponsor them for confirmation. I was told I can only sponsor 2 of them by the coordinator. I looked in canon law and can find nothing saying there is a limit to how many candidates you can sponsor for one Rite of Confirmation. I realize liturgically it’s messy but, my students have no one else, felt comfortable enough to ask me and I don’t have a problem with it.

So my question is does anyone know if there is a limit for sponsors for how many they can sponsor?

BTW: If they wanted to choose someone else I’m fine with it, I just don’t want to reject them or have some uniformed church personnel implement a rule that doesn’t exist thus frustrating them.

 

[Joannm]

When I was confirmed in the olden days, we had one sponsor for all the girls and another for all the boys. I didn’t even know who she was and never saw her again. Now the sponsor should have a role in the candidates life, sharing the faith with them and acclimating them to parish life. That is difficult to do if you have too many candidates to sponsor.

 

[Loving_disciple]

Here’s a question I haven’t been able to find before

So I teach a confirmation class and was asked by 4 of my students to sponsor them for confirmation. I was told I can only sponsor 2 of them by the coordinator. I looked in canon law and can find nothing saying there is a limit to how many candidates you can sponsor for one Rite of Confirmation. I realize liturgically it’s messy but, my students have no one else, felt comfortable enough to ask me and I don’t have a problem with it.

So my question is does anyone know if there is a limit for sponsors for how many they can sponsor?

BTW: If they wanted to choose someone else I’m fine with it, I just don’t want to reject them or have some uniformed church personnel implement a rule that doesn’t exist thus frustrating them.

I believe such a decision is up to the Bishop or parish priest

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I don’t think canon law puts a limit, but common sense may do so.

Ideally the sponsor has a role in the person’s life. It’s not just a “show up for the Confirmation Mass” kind of thing, but also a matter of being a spiritual friend and mentor. That would tend to limit the number of people you could sponsor.

There’s another matter and this one is totally personal. People in both RCIA and our adult confirmation program have asked one of the catechists to be their sponsors. As you mentioned, they know us and are comfortable with us which is a wonderful thing. However, our policy is that catechists cannot also serve as sponsors. The pastor and I discussed it and agreed that as catechists we have a certain role in people’s lives. It’s an important role and we want to do the best job we can. Being a sponsor is a different role and we don’t want to dilute or blend the two.

My guess is that there are people in the parish who would be willing to serve as sponsors if they knew they were needed. Aren’t there folks who you see at Mass every week who maybe aren’t hugely involved in the parish? Why not invite them to be a part of these teens’ lives?

 

[Wildkit]

My guess is that there are people in the parish who would be willing to serve as sponsors if they knew they were needed. Aren’t there folks who you see at Mass every week who maybe aren’t hugely involved in the parish? Why not invite them to be a part of these teens’ lives?

Great suggestion!