Sponsor Guidelines

One of the many benefits of being a Catholic is the opportunity to be a Sacramental sponsor. What does it mean to be a sponsor?  “Sponsor” derives from a Latin verb meaning “to pledge oneself to,” “to promise solemnly,” or “to engage.”  In a legal context it can mean “to be a security for,” or to “go bail for” a person.  Interestingly enough, that verb is also the root of the word “spouse”. 

Sacramental sponsorship possesses the weight of an oath, just as a sacrament does.  Godparents and Confirmation sponsors testify — swear — to the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic Faith. If you have been asked to sponsor someone for Baptism or Confirmation, you ought to ask yourself: do I testify to the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic faith by my actions and words? Do I strive each day to obey the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Catholic Church? While the Ten Commandments are generally well known the following are the five precepts of the Catholic Church as outlined in The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 2041-2043):

  1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. 
  2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year. 
  3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
  4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church. 
  5.  You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church. 

Certificate of Eligibility
Potential sponsors need to acquire a letter from their parish testifying to their suitability for sacramental sponsorship and that they meet the requirments set forth by the Catholic Church.  Individuals who have moved away from their parish are asked to register in the parish in whose boundaries they live, and to become active participants in that parish.

Active Member of Parish
To be considered an active, participating member of the parish, the Cathedral of Saint Patrick takes into account a family or individual’s ministry involvement and Mass attendance. Since the Cathedral’s weekly Mass attendance envelopes are the primary way we determine if parishioners are regularly attending Mass, parishioners should always place a Mass attendance envelope in the collection basket when they attend Sunday Mass – regardless of whether one makes a contribution. If parishioners contribute via electronic giving, it is important that a Mass attendance envelope still be placed in the Sunday collection basket with “I give electronically” box checked. Attendance at Mass is the most important thing we do as Catholics and the most meaningful way we model and live our Catholic faith.  

Catholic in Good Standing
The sponsor must be baptized and confirmed and the must have already received the Sacrament of Eucharist. The sponsor must live a life in keeping with the laws of the Catholic Church, leading a life of faith.  The sponsor must observe the precepts of the church. The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic and must attend Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation. If married, the sponsor must be in a valid marriage. Persons who are married “outside the Church” (i.e. without the Catholic Church’s permission) are unable to receive the Eucharist, and therefore are ineligible to be sacramental sponsors.  Ask your parish priest or deacon about how the situation may be rectified. The sponsor must not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.

If you already happen to be a sacramental sponsor and you continue to fulfill these requirements, keep up the good work!  If you are a sacramental sponsor but are not fulfilling these requirements, start to fulfill them, one at a time (we suggest that you start with #1 above).  If you have been asked to sponsor someone for Baptism or Confirmation, but you do not meet these criteria at the time of the request, and are unwilling to begin doing so, please spare yourself and others a great amount of grief and respectfully decline.  You cannot honestly present yourself for this role unless and until you bear witness to the Catholic Faith as described above. Ineligible persons may think that the Church is levying a personal judgment upon them.  “Are you saying that I’m not a good person?  I do charity work; I haven’t killed anyone.  I don’t tell big lies; I...”  That certainly is not the Church’s intention.  You may be a good person, but we are called, not merely to be good, but to fulfill our call to holiness, to become saints, given to us at our own baptism.  If you are ineligible, consider the reasons seriously, and take appropriate action.

The importance of the sacramental sponsor demands the Church’s careful attention.  Our personal religious and spiritual commitments likewise demand that attention.  Each day we must examine ourselves in this regard, for whether or not we are a sponsor, we are always a witness.