Role of a Sponsor

Congratulations! You have been chosen by a teen to accompany them on an amazing journey as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This teen looks to you as an example of someone who is living out their Catholic faith in an admirable way. They feel comfortable sharing their story with you and growing in faith with you by their side. Savor this moment. Enjoy this opportunity.

What is a sponsor?
A sponsor is a practicing Catholic who lives their life in harmony with the church while seeking to be a disciple of Jesus. This person's function "is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the duties inherent in this sacrament." (Canon 892)

I've been chosen as a sponsor, now what?
At St. Gabriel, sponsors serve in a mentor role. Sponsors will meet with their teen for conversations (not teachings) about faith using a variety of topics important to the confirmation journey. These meetings revolve around "milestones" and include topics such as personal prayer, service, and Mass. Upon completion of a milestone, the sponsor will notify the youth ministry staff through documentation of the experience (on-line form). Additionally, the sponsor may join the teen for service projects, community prayer opportunities, Mass and other activities the teen identifies as important to their journey. Upon completion of the milestones with the sponsor, the sponsor serves as a witness testifying to the teen's readiness to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at the Rite of Confirmation Mass.

What are the qualifications needed to be a Sponsor?
The following are qualifications defined by the church in order for a person to fulfill the role of Sponsor:

• 16 years of age or older
• Is not the father or mother of the candidate
• Received the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
• Participates in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days; and receives the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly.
• Actively strives to live out their commitment to Christ and to the community life of the church by a lovingly responding to those with whom they come in contact.
• If married, the marriage is valid according to the laws of the Catholic Church.
• Is willing to give support to the candidate through prayer,  preparation, and the example of their Christian life.
• Is able to attend the Rite of Confirmation Mass and testify to the Bishop the candidate's readiness to receive the sacrament

What are the Milestones?
Milestones are topics of conversation. Each milestone topic consists of a goal with suggested conversation material, activities and prayer opportunities. Milestones can be completed at the pace of the candidate chooses. The seven Milestones are:

• What is Confirmation?
• Personal Prayer Life
• Heart for Service
• The Saints (Choosing a Confirmation Saint)
• Mass
• Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• I'm Confirmed. Now What?

I said "Yes." Where do I start?
Below is a list of steps to get you started in meeting with your candidate:

• Complete the Sponsor Acknowledgement Form online (sent to sponsor after teens registration)
  • If you are a parishoner of St. Gabriel, you're ready for the next step
  • If you are NOT a parishoner of St. Gabriel, we will need the Confirmation Sponsor from Outside St. Gabriel Form from your parish priest.
• You will receive an email from the Office of Youth Ministry with the link to the 1st Milestone
• Watch the Sponsor Training Video on that Milestone's page
• Schedule the required meeting(s) with your candidate
• Pray for/Prepare for the meetings by reading the material and suggested outline for the Milestone prior to meeting with the candidate
• Meet in a place where you both feel comfortable and can hear/listen to each other well
• Complete the Milestone Feedback form right after your meeting with the candidate. This is the prompt to the Office of Youth Minsitry to send you the next milestone.