Question About Sponsor for RCIA

[T_Hope]

How is a sponsor is chosen for someone in the RCIA program?

During my upbringing in a completely non religious home, I came to know well a Catholic family in my neighborhood. Their home became my refuge when things were unbearable in my own home, which was quite often. I was about 15 years younger than the woman who was wife, mother, faithful and devoted Catholic, and my dearest friend. Throughout those years she supported me and encouraged my interest in music. She taught me crafts, and simply spent time with me. I am ashamed to admit this, but as a teen I would go to her and complain about how things were at home. What was happening in my home was not right. But neither was my complaining. She never participated in those conversations and generally would succeed in refocusing my mind on something more productive, like a new craft project. Maybe that was so she wouldn’t have to listen! This woman has always showed a great respect for me and for my parents. Not an easy balancing act. But she has never faltered.

Years later now, I am struggling with some hard things, and have been praying to God fervently for help. To my surprise I have begun to find answers where I never before thought to look, within the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church! I don’t have the words to express the happiness I felt when I spoke to her a few weeks ago after my first experience attending Mass which was a very emotional experience. She recognized that as we talked and said it was a “coming home” for me.

So my question is this. If in the future I should desire to join the RCIA program, would I be able to choose her as my sponsor? We currently live some 750 miles apart. Or are sponsors assigned from among the local parish? How does that work? Or is it different from place to place? I would really like to know.

Hope

 

[puzzleannie]

How is a sponsor is chosen for someone in the RCIA program?

Hope

for an unbaptized person, a catechumen, the sponsor who accompanies them throughout the catechumenate is usually chosen by the parish because his role is in part to help the catechumen integrate into parish life. The godparent for baptism, or the sponsor for a baptized Christian, is often a friend or family member chosen because there is a good relationship with a solid Catholic, like the one you describe. This person “takes over” with the rite of election, is there for the Easter sacraments and afterword. There is no reason they can’t be the same person, and there is no reason why if you have already found a special person who is aiding you in your faith journey, that she cannot serve in both capacities if she is willing and able and otherwise qualified. Talk to the priest or RCIA director at your initial interview.

If she is not able because of distance to be the person who comes with you each week she can still be your sponsor or godparent for the sacraments, even if she cannot physically be present, as long as she is still an influence in your life, someone could stand in for her by proxy.

 

[T_Hope]

Thank you for this information. It makes good sense to me. I am thinking of making an appointment to speak with the priest about things and I that would be a good time to ask about this too. He seemed very willing to talk with me when I met him. I am a little nervous about it, though.

Hope

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

How is a sponsor is chosen for someone in the RCIA program?

During my upbringing in a completely non religious home, I came to know well a Catholic family in my neighborhood. Their home became my refuge when things were unbearable in my own home, which was quite often. I was about 15 years younger than the woman who was wife, mother, faithful and devoted Catholic, and my dearest friend. Throughout those years she supported me and encouraged my interest in music. She taught me crafts, and simply spent time with me. I am ashamed to admit this, but as a teen I would go to her and complain about how things were at home. What was happening in my home was not right. But neither was my complaining. She never participated in those conversations and generally would succeed in refocusing my mind on something more productive, like a new craft project. Maybe that was so she wouldn’t have to listen! This woman has always showed a great respect for me and for my parents. Not an easy balancing act. But she has never faltered.

Years later now, I am struggling with some hard things, and have been praying to God fervently for help. To my surprise I have begun to find answers where I never before thought to look, within the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church! I don’t have the words to express the happiness I felt when I spoke to her a few weeks ago after my first experience attending Mass which was a very emotional experience. She recognized that as we talked and said it was a “coming home” for me.

So my question is this. If in the future I should desire to join the RCIA program, would I be able to choose her as my sponsor? We currently live some 750 miles apart. Or are sponsors assigned from among the local parish? How does that work? Or is it different from place to place? I would really like to know.

Hope

Yes, this person can be your Sponsor. You could also have someone local that can attend with you and you could communicate with your friend over the phone or by Email once a week. It would be nice if she could be present at your Reception or Initiation Sacraments, but she could also be represented by a proxy.

 

[puzzleannie]

also bear in mind your sponsor is someone who should be available for ongoing support in your life in the Faith, so for one thing let her know your gratitude for her part in your life, and maintain a relationship even if only by phone and e-mail, we need all the friends we can get.

 

[T_Hope]

also bear in mind your sponsor is someone who should be available for ongoing support in your life in the Faith, so for one thing let her know your gratitude for her part in your life, and maintain a relationship even if only by phone and e-mail, we need all the friends we can get.

That is something I hadn’t thought about. And it makes me want her for my sponsor all the more. She and her husband. We’ll figure out the distance thing and work with a proxy. I would also like to get to know people here. But yesterday I needed some support and called them before Mass. They are so familiar to me and I to them. There’s no “catching up” or getting to know each other. Our conversations are to the point. Yesterday’s conversation was so uplifting and joyous.
I do need to express my appreciation to them. Thank you for the little nudge.
Hope

 

[fdesales]

How is a sponsor is chosen for someone in the RCIA program?

During my upbringing in a completely non religious home, I came to know well a Catholic family in my neighborhood. Their home became my refuge when things were unbearable in my own home, which was quite often. I was about 15 years younger than the woman who was wife, mother, faithful and devoted Catholic, and my dearest friend. Throughout those years she supported me and encouraged my interest in music. She taught me crafts, and simply spent time with me. I am ashamed to admit this, but as a teen I would go to her and complain about how things were at home. What was happening in my home was not right. But neither was my complaining. She never participated in those conversations and generally would succeed in refocusing my mind on something more productive, like a new craft project. Maybe that was so she wouldn’t have to listen! This woman has always showed a great respect for me and for my parents. Not an easy balancing act. But she has never faltered.

Years later now, I am struggling with some hard things, and have been praying to God fervently for help. To my surprise I have begun to find answers where I never before thought to look, within the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church! I don’t have the words to express the happiness I felt when I spoke to her a few weeks ago after my first experience attending Mass which was a very emotional experience. She recognized that as we talked and said it was a “coming home” for me.

So my question is this. If in the future I should desire to join the RCIA program, would I be able to choose her as my sponsor? We currently live some 750 miles apart. Or are sponsors assigned from among the local parish? How does that work? Or is it different from place to place? I would really like to know.

Hope

This person shouldn’t be your sponsor, since they serve an important role LOCALLY. They represent the Church and are called upon to discern whether you are indeed beginning a life of conversion. They are meant to introduce you to the local parish’s people and ministries. They share their personal walk with you and bring you into the community. This is not really possible with someone who you won’t see and lives 700 miles away.

However, this person can be a godparent, which is someone you can turn to after the Easter Vigil. The sponsor’s role more or less ends after Easter Vigil, although some remain quite close to their candidates for many years.

Regard

 

[DavidW]

How is a sponsor is chosen for someone in the RCIA program?

So my question is this. If in the future I should desire to join the RCIA program, would I be able to choose her as my sponsor? We currently live some 750 miles apart. Or are sponsors assigned from among the local parish? How does that work? Or is it different from place to place? I would really like to know.

Hope

In our parish you arrange for your own sponsor, or if you do not know anyone that can do it we’ll find someone to help. There are several events where your sponsor’s attendance is required. The Rite of Acceptance and Welcome (fall), the Rites of Sending and Election (winter) the retreat (spring) and of course the Easter Vigil. It might be pretty difficult to pull that off with someone that lives 750 miles away.

Sponsors are required to be confirmed, practicing Catholics in good standing. Otherwise, it can be anyone at your parish that you get to know and like. Attending a few of the RCIA classes that remain this year might be helpful in getting to know good candidates.

 

[T_Hope]

Thank you for your insights.

I understand the importance of having someone here in the Parish where I am. That is very important and I do want to get to know people here and to learn from them, and to make some new friends. And oh, I would love to sing in the choir!! But I digress …

This morning I had a very nice visit with our Monsignor, and properly introduced myself (we had met a few weeks back when I first attended Mass) and told him what was happening in my life and that I feel strongly that I may want to join the Catholic Church although the decision has not been completely made - but I am inching closer and closer everyday as I pray and learn - I answered his questions and after we had talked a long while so that he knew something of my background and circumstances, I asked him if these people (husband and wife) could be my sponsor(s). I don’t know if it was due to what I had said, I simply wanted to be honest. He responded without hesitation “Yes,” they could be my sponsor(s) and there will be a proxy here.

I guess when the time drawers near in the fall we’ll figure it all out. I am in contact with them frequently by phone and I am sure we can work things out for them to be here when they are needed.

I don’t know if this is the place to say this, but I feel HAPPY today. I haven’t felt truly happy for a very long time - years and years. When I left the Rectory and walked along the familiar road I felt happiness settling upon me gradually until now, I can hardly contain it.

Hope