RCIA sponsor question

[torib1990]

Hello! I just joined CAF (so sorry if this post is in the wrong place!) and I’ll be starting RCIA classes on August 31st. I’m very excited, but a bit concerned about choosing my sponsor. Sorry for the long background story, but here goes:

I’m 19 and a college student. When I’m home in Illinois for summer and winter breaks, I attend mass with my mother and younger sister, and know a number of people at their parish. However, I’ll be going through RCIA in Kentucky where I go to college. I don’t know anyone who attends that church, and while I know I’ll meet some people, I’m pretty reserved, and I don’t know if I’ll develop a relationship with someone quickly enough that I’d feel comfortable having them as my sponsor.

My younger sister, who is 16, has been an amazing witness to me on my faith journey. We were both brought up Baptist, but my mom converted to Catholicism, and then my sister attended a Catholic school and went through confirmation and such with others her age, as a teenager. My sister has taken me with her to youth group, introduced me to folks at her parish that have discussed my faith with me, given me reading materials like a Catholic Bible and the CCC, etc. I wouldn’t be attending RCIA if it wasn’t for her guidance and prayers, and the example that she’s set in her lifestyle. If I could choose anyone to be my sponsor, it would be her.

However, it seems that her age and and the distance could be a problem. She could attend Easter Vigil, but wouldn’t be there for anything else. She’ll be 17 in December, but I don’t know if her age is an issue or not - I believe my sponsor has to be at least 16, but I don’t know if that’s for anyone, adults included, or just younger people, or what. Even if it’s technically allowed, is it a bad idea - should I just wait and hope to find someone at the Kentucky church? When do I have to make an official decision about my sponsor? I don’t want to make things difficult or anything!

 

[twopekinguys]

Hello! I just joined CAF (so sorry if this post is in the wrong place!) and I’ll be starting RCIA classes on August 31st. I’m very excited, but a bit concerned about choosing my sponsor. Sorry for the long background story, but here goes:

I’m 19 and a college student. When I’m home in Illinois for summer and winter breaks, I attend mass with my mother and younger sister, and know a number of people at their parish. However, I’ll be going through RCIA in Kentucky where I go to college. I don’t know anyone who attends that church, and while I know I’ll meet some people, I’m pretty reserved, and I don’t know if I’ll develop a relationship with someone quickly enough that I’d feel comfortable having them as my sponsor.

My younger sister, who is 16, has been an amazing witness to me on my faith journey. We were both brought up Baptist, but my mom converted to Catholicism, and then my sister attended a Catholic school and went through confirmation and such with others her age, as a teenager. My sister has taken me with her to youth group, introduced me to folks at her parish that have discussed my faith with me, given me reading materials like a Catholic Bible and the CCC, etc. I wouldn’t be attending RCIA if it wasn’t for her guidance and prayers, and the example that she’s set in her lifestyle. If I could choose anyone to be my sponsor, it would be her.

However, it seems that her age and and the distance could be a problem. She could attend Easter Vigil, but wouldn’t be there for anything else. She’ll be 17 in December, but I don’t know if her age is an issue or not - I believe my sponsor has to be at least 16, but I don’t know if that’s for anyone, adults included, or just younger people, or what. Even if it’s technically allowed, is it a bad idea - should I just wait and hope to find someone at the Kentucky church? When do I have to make an official decision about my sponsor? I don’t want to make things difficult or anything!

In the RCIA program at our parish, we try to find a sponsor from the parish community.

We usually have a bunch of volunteers at the first few sessions, and see who clicks with whom.

Also, in our parish, the sponsor attends all of the sessions and Rites right along with the inquirer/candidate, and they ultimately end up being their sponsor at the Vigil.

Now, in cases such as yours, our parish would accept a Catholic in good standing (verified by their home parish) to stand with the sponsor and you at the Vigil. It really isn’t fair to someone to sit with you through 9 months or more of preparation just to be replaced by someone else. Unless of course it is agreed upon in the beginning.

You need to have a sponsor of some sort, by the Rite of Acceptance. They will stand with you during the Rite, and all of the subsequent ones.

Hope this helps.

 

[torib1990]

Yes, thank you! That helps a lot!

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello! I just joined CAF (so sorry if this post is in the wrong place!) and I’ll be starting My younger sister, who is 16, has been an amazing witness to me on my faith journey.
. . .

However, it seems that her age and and the distance could be a problem. She could attend Easter Vigil, but wouldn’t be there for anything else. She’ll be 17 in December, but I don’t know if her age is an issue or not - I believe my sponsor has to be at least 16, but I don’t know if that’s for anyone, adults included, or just younger people, or what. Even if it’s technically allowed, is it a bad idea - should I just wait and hope to find someone at the Kentucky church? When do I have to make an official decision about my sponsor? I don’t want to make things difficult or anything!

the parish usually assigns someone to be the sponsor for the preparation period of RCIA, to sit with you in the classes and bible instruction and help you get involved in parish life. Then when it is time to receive confirmation [and baptism for the unbaptized] you choose the person who will be your confirmation sponsor or godparent, and your sister will be ideal for this role if she is alread confirmed, and of the age prescribed by your bishop. Even if that age is 18 if you explain to the pastor the reasons for choosing her, which are very valid and appropriate, she could probably get permission. God bless her, and you, and welcome home!

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Yes, thank you! That helps a lot!

Do you intend to receive sacraments in Kentucky or Illinois? We have had some get permission to attend class in one place then get a certification letter from the priest or RCIA director for the their hometown parish. They then receive sacraments at home.