Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

What is a Confirmation Sponsor?
Becoming a Sponsor is a beautiful gift to be cherished by the chosen person.  Many people see Sponsors as a symbolic role, without any responsibilities other than being a good person.  While a Sponsor should most definitely be a good person, there is much more involved than simply being present at the ceremony and "being a good person."

A Sponsor is a practicing Catholic striving to live out his/her baptismal promises in union with the Catholic Church.  The role and responsibility of the Sponsor is to help the newly confirmed in his/her faith formation.  The Sponsor should "take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament" (Code of Canon Law No. 892).

The entire role of a Sponsor cannot be explained in a just few sentences.  It is always preferred that you discuss choosing a Sponsor with a priest or deacon.  But please know that being a Sponsor places central responsibility on the potential individual and carries with it a deep, meaningful significance.  

How do I become a Confirmation Sponsor?
The Church requires that a Catholic Sponsor must:

• Be registered in a parish community
• Be at least 16 years of age
• Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation
• Join weekly in the celebration of Mass and Holy Communion

Questions?
If you have any questions regarding Confirmation or Sponsorship, feel free to contact Sister Jane Reisinger in the Religious Education Office at (440) 235-2808.

All Confirmation Candidates are required to watch the following videos about the Church and respond to them in their binders.  As you watch these, please take note of many of the key words that are used to describe some of the different elements of the Church.

• The Seven Sacraments
• Mysteries of the Church: Eucharist
• Mysteries of the Church: Holy Spirit
• Mysteries of the Church: The Gospels
• Mysteries of the Church: Patron Saints
• Mysteries of the Church: Sin
• Mysteries of the Church: Christianity and Science
• Mysteries of the Church: Afterlife

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.  And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Acts 2:1-4