All candidates must choose a sponsor who is a Confirmed Practicing Catholic.
This should be a person who is willing to present the candidate to the Church and affirm that they are ready for Confirmation. A sponsor should be someone who is a model and exemplifies the Catholic faith to the candidate. The function of a Sponsor is not a social role of honor given to a relative or family friend simply because they are relatives or friends. It is about the child or adult who is going to receive this once-in-a-lifetime sacrament of the Church. Sacramental Sponsorship implies a knowledgeable understanding of the Catholic Faith, and willingness and intention to help the one being sponsored with their religious training by word, deed, and example.
A Sponsor has three primary roles:
To assist the candidate in preparing for Confirmation.
To present the candidate for Confirmation.
To help the Confirmed person to live out his or her Christian Faith, fully.
A Sponsor must have the following qualifications:
Canon Law: 873 and 874 summarized, concerning Baptismal and/or Confirmation Sponsors:
He/She must be knowledgeable of the fundamental truths of the Faith and be a Practicing Catholic who regularly attends Mass on Sundays and Holy days of Obligation and is free to receive the sacraments according to the Church’s tenets.
The Sponsor must themselves have received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation in the Catholic Church.
He/She may not be the child’s mother or father; or in the case of an adult, the wife or husband of the one to be Baptized or Confirmed (unless permission is given by the pastor)
He/She must be at least 16 years old and have the use of reason.
If he/she has children of their own, they have fulfilled their Catholic parental obligation toward raising them in the Catholic Faith.
He/She must not be bound by any Canonical impediment or penalty legitimately imposed or declared.
During the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation, God the Holy Spirit comes upon the candidate to bestow numerous spiritual gifts and "confirm" the faith given to you in Baptism when Original Sin was wiped away. Before Confirmation, the candidate chooses a saint whose name they want to take. This new name, imposed by the bishop during Confirmation, becomes a part of the candidate’s full name. It comes after their first and middle names and before their last name. Here is a step-by-step process you may find helpful in choosing a Saint Name.
Find a list of canonized saints in the Roman Catholic Church by reading a book or doing online research. Saints are people who have lived holy lives and are now in heaven as members of the Church Triumphant. Their life stories provide examples for others on how to overcome spiritual obstacles on Earth.
Pray to the Holy Spirit, and ask Him for help in finding a saint whose life you'd like to imitate. This saint will be bonded with you spiritually and, in essence, becomes your heavenly patron who intercedes for you before God. Think about the specific virtues those saints exhibited, such as patience, perfection, diligence, humility, mortification, meekness, obedience, prayer, charity, or simplicity. Find a virtue that connects with you.
Before you are confirmed, pray to the saint whose name you will be using as your Confirmation name. Ask this saint to intercede for you, to help you make the right moral choices, and overall to be a powerful spiritual guide for the rest of your life.
All writing assignments should be a one to two-page, single-spaced paper about the topics below, emailed to Deacon Jeff (smvparish.ocia@gmail.com) by 6:00 pm on the day they are due.
Assignment due October 19th: My Journey of Faith
Assignment due January 4: Your thoughts on Mary, Mother of God
These teachings often challenge us, yet we are called to follow these teachings. In your own words, express the following:
What are some of the key Catholic teachings about Mary?
How do you feel about these teachings?
What are some ways that Mary brings us closer to Jesus?
Why are the saints important to us?
Why is it acceptable to ask the saints to pray for us?
Assignment due January 25: The Eucharist & what it means to you
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith. It is the central focus of the Mass. In your own words, express the following:
What is the Eucharist?
What does the Catholic Church teach about the Eucharist?
Do you understand and believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist? Explain why.
The Eucharist was a challenge to the followers of Jesus and it is still a challenge today. How does the Eucharist challenge you?
Assignment due March 8: My Confirmation Saint Name
For each Catechumen and Candidate, write a one-page, single-spaced paper about your Confirmation saint. Include the following:
Saint name
Brief background on the saint
where and when he or she lived,
why they became a saint,
Patron of...
Why did you select this saint and what attracted you to him or her?
Assignment due March 15: What does Reconciliation mean to you?
In your own words, express the following:
What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
How do you think this sacrament can help you grow closer to God?
What are your concerns about this sacrament that you would like to discuss?