Confirmation Sponsor Form

Choosing a Confirmation sponsor

Confirmation candidates - To receive this Sacrament, candidates must be above the age of reason and not have received the Sacrament before. Preparation for the Sacrament is essential. This will be done by the catechists and through prayer so that they may receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with humility and the readiness to act. Candidates will renew their Baptismal promises, receive the cleansing Sacrament of Reconciliation and affirm their readiness to assume the role as a disciple of Christ. For Him, they will henceforth be witnesses, both in their parish and the Church, as well as in their daily life in the world.

Who can be a Confirmation Sponsor? Please choose with care - the Church encourages candidates to invite one of their baptismal godparents to act as their Confirmation sponsor. This clearly expresses the link between Baptism and Confirmation. Many people choose an aunt or an uncle, or a close family friend, but not one of your parents. If this is not possible, another sponsor can be chosen, but they must be:

 chosen by the candidate;
 a Catholic and who also received the sacrament of Confirmation;
 at least 16 years old;
 and be in good standing with the Church, practising the faith, and leading a life in harmony with the faith and role to be undertaken.

What is the role of the Confirmation Sponsor? This is someone who sees that the person being confirmed acts as a true witness to Christ and is ready and willing to fulfil the continuing obligations connected with this Sacrament.

Responsibility of the Confirmation Sponsor - Through Confirmation, sponsors and candidate are united in a bond lasting through life. Sponsors continue to help the candidate along the road of Christian life, and safeguard and help to develop the grace given at Baptism which will now be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. They promise to guide, support and encourage the candidates to continue their journey of faith. They develop further their own spiritual life, praying with the candidate. They are a good example of what it means to be a disciple of Christ, shown by their love:
 of God;
 of the Word of God;
 of the Mass;
 of the Sacraments;
 of the teachings of the Church;
 by which they treat others.

The Confirmation sponsor has to attend the Confirmation mass with the Bishop in June /July.
When invited, they will present the candidate to the Bishop by coming forward with the candidate. The sponsor stands to the left of the candidate and slightly behind with their right hand on the candidate's left shoulder, and says:
"Father, I present ................ (Confirmation name) for the Sacrament of Confirmation".
After the Bishop has anointed the candidate with the Oil of Chrism, both return to their places.