RCIA Sponsor Question

[Melodeonist]

Earlier this year, my Grandfather (who is 77, but very high energy), asked if he could be my RCIA sponsor. I would love to have him as my sponsor, but I have a few questions.

Is he eligible to be my sponsor? He lives in north New Jersey (about 2 hours away.) How often do sponsors have to travel?

What are the requirements of a sponsor?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The canonical requirements are that the person must be a fully initiated Catholic (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist), over the age of 16, not the parent of the candidate, and living a life in accord with this position.

The liturgical rites where a sponsor is present differ depending on whether you are a catechumen or candidate.

If you are preparing for baptism there would be the rite of acceptance, rite of election, scrutinies on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent, and the Easter Vigil.

If you are already baptized there would be the rite of welcoming (if your parish does it), call to continuing conversion, and confirmation/Eucharist (possibly at the Easter Vigil or at another time).

My ideal sponsor is also someone who can at least sometimes attend the RCIA sessions, sit with you at Mass, introduce you to people and groups in the parish, and support you throughout the process.

Have you talked with your RCIA team about the possibility of your grandfather being your sponsor? I can see pluses and minuses.

 

[1ke]

The canonical requirements are that the person must be a fully initiated Catholic (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist), over the age of 16, not the parent of the candidate, and living a life in accord with this position.

The liturgical rites where a sponsor is present differ depending on whether you are a catechumen or candidate.

If you are preparing for baptism there would be the rite of acceptance, rite of election, scrutinies on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent, and the Easter Vigil.

If you are already baptized there would be the rite of welcoming (if your parish does it), call to continuing conversion, and confirmation/Eucharist (possibly at the Easter Vigil or at another time).

My ideal sponsor is also someone who can at least sometimes attend the RCIA sessions, sit with you at Mass, introduce you to people and groups in the parish, and support you throughout the process.

Have you talked with your RCIA team about the possibility of your grandfather being your sponsor? I can see pluses and minuses.

I’d like to point out that a local parishioner can act in a sponsor capacity for attending RCIA classes, mass, etc., and the rites.

The grandfather can be the sponsor on the date of baptism/confirmation.

Many people have a sponsor that is not local. The candidate/catechumen always has the choice of their sponsor and should never be made to feel they have to choose someone else just because there are rites along the way or because the RCIA coordinator would prefer someone who attends class (which is NOT an actual requirement for a sponsor).

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Provision can also be made for someone to stand in as a proxy for your grandfather and the priest who is ultimately responsible for the RCIA should make the necessary provisions to accommodate this request, if that is what you and your grandfather wish.

The choice of whether or not he is your sponsor is one that is between you and him. It is a singular position that one person has in another person’s life.

 

[Melodeonist]

Thanks for the replies! I will ask him on the phone, or email.