What is important to know about your future sponsor on your behalf of coming into the Church?

[mi6vida9loca]

What are the rules and regulations or requirements when choosing a sponsor for your future sacraments in the Catholic Church? Who or what isn’t allowed? Can they be complete strangers who just attend your same parish as yourself, or can it be a family member who not only is sponsoring you but also two more of your siblings on the same Easter? What can be done or what should I do to find the rightful sponsor for my behalf before Easter?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The minimum requirements canonically are that the sponsor has to be over the age of 16, not the parent of the candidate, fully initiated (baptized, confirmed, and received First Communion), not under any canonical penalty, and leading a life of faith (a practicing Catholic; if married, then married in the Church).

When I think of sponsors, I think in part of someone who can be a role model for what it means to live as a Catholic. And I think in part of someone who can help the new Catholic make connections in the parish.

You ask about having someone who is a complete stranger. While the sponsor may start out that way, I hope that as preparation continues for the catechumen or candidate, the sponsor starts to become a friend and a source of support.

I would recommend that each person being baptized or confirmed have his or her own sponsor at this significant time.

Your RCIA team should be able to assist you in finding someone. I’m surprised the subject hasn’t come up already.

 

[Elvis_Guy]

I was sponsored by a Deacon (in training and KoC 4 man) awesome guy…as a prior poster stated they must be in good standing in the church…a personal friendship …not required…he filled in …an older couple who live a few blocks from my wife and I were to sponsor, but unable …health problems so…Deacon Jim did it, we are buds now…but I didn’t know him well personally at the time…so I agree with prior posts : A person or couple in solid standing and faith!!! hope this helps

 

[Newsy]

When I picked out my sponsor, I chose a very devout Catholic friend. I had closer friends that were Catholic, but I wanted to choose a role model for Catholic living. I didn’t want my sponsor to be a “cafeteria Catholic”, but that’s my feeling. This could be an opportunity to get to know a very devout member of your parish.

 

[odile53]

Probably about ten years ago by now a coworker who had started RCIA asked me to be her sponsor, she said that she could tell that my faith was precious to me. I was both deeply humbled and greatly honored by her request. We became great friends as just one of the fringe benefits of the entire process, and I found that my own faith was deepened and strengthened as a result.

I retired from that job and moved across the state. We’re still in contact, and maintain the friendship as well as the late evening faith discussions. God bless her!