What is a Sponsor?

Each Catechumen is required to select a sponsor to walk with them through their journey. A sponsor is an invaluable assistant to parents in transmitting the faith. For that reason, parents cannot sponsor their own children. A sponsor is a sort of Catholic mentor. They should be good role models, comfortable in their faith, and able to be active in the mentoring process. It is strongly encouraged that the sponsor chosen lives within a reasonable proximity to allow for active involvement. A sponsors can be an older adult friend whom the candidate can trust to be open, honest, caring, and encouraging.


Who can be a Sponsor?

The sponsor must be a fully-initiated, practicing member of the Catholic Church, who is at least 16 years of age and registered at a Catholic parish.

Fully-initiated– baptized, confirmed and receives the Eucharist.

Practicing– attends Mass regularly and support the mission of the parish.

  • The Ministry of the Sponsor

    The ministry of the sponsor is a ministry of accompaniment.
    A sponsor is not a teacher, not a spiritual director, not an expert.
    A sponsor is a living example of what it means to be an ordinary, happy Catholic.
    A sponsor supports the candidate through the gift of her or his presence, consistently and intentionally.
    A sponsor is a witness of the candidate’s spiritual journey into the Catholic Church.
    A sponsor helps the candidate discover the Church as a living, practical, day to day reality.
    A sponsor presents the needs of his or her candidate to God daily in prayer.

    Basic Requirements of a Sponsor

    To be a sponsor, you must…

    • Be at least 16 years of age.
    • Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
    • Be someone other than the parent of the catechumen/candidate.
    • Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
    • Current marital status conforms to all laws, norms and principles of the Roman Catholic Church.
    • (Preferably) be a registered member of the parish.

*If your Sponsor is not a registered member of Immaculate Conception, they need have their parish complete a Sponsor Verification Form and mail it to Immaculate Conception c/o School of Religion.


How to Choose Your Sponsor:

The role of a sponsor is that of an active mentor not of holding an honorary title. By definition, a mentor is someone who serves as a guide, counselor, and teacher for another person. Whomever you choose should be active in the church, able and willing to share why his/her Catholic faith is important to him/her, and who lives close enough to help you with and be involved in your preparation. You can choose a relative (other than a parent/guardian), friend, or someone from the Church as your sponsor. Carefully consider your choice, pray about it, and when you think you have the right person, ask him or her to help you grow in faith by being your sponsor!

Your Sponsor Serves You in Three Ways:

1) As a role model for you in faith. Your sponsor is someone other than your parents because he/she will assist you and your parents in your continued faith formation. The person you choose does not have to be the same gender as you.

2) As a companion on your faith journey, supporting you in prayer and in your search for the Holy Spirit. Someone whose Catholic lifestyle you admire, someone with whom you feel comfortable, and someone who has the time and willingness to be involved with you throughout this process.

3 )As a witness for you before the entire Church. Standing by you as you join the church, he/she proclaims by that gesture that you are ready and willing to accept the responsibilities and privileges of being a fully initiated member of the Catholic Christian community


What is Required of a Confirmation Sponsor:

The sponsor needs to be willing to meet with the candidate on a regular basis prior to the Easter Vigil and to make a commitment to continue the faith journey. The sponsor is to attend, stand witness for his/her candidate, and present his/her candidate to the Bishop at the Confirmation Liturgy.

Attendance is required at the:

  • 11/10/24: Rite of Acceptance & Welcoming 10am Mass 
  • 3/9/25: Rite of Sending. Rite of Election at Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
  • 4/19/25 morning. Easter Vigil Rehearsal 
  • 4/19/25 evening Easter Vigil 


Being a Sponsor is both an honor and responsibility. It is our joy to support both candidates and sponsors throughout this journey.

We are so excited to begin this journey with you! We are praying for you and look forward to gathering with you.