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The role of the Sponsor is to bring the Confirmation Candidate along in his/her preparation to receive the Sacrament. A Sponsor presents the Candidate to the Bishop or the anointing and the Sponsor supports the Candidate in a continued living-out of his/her Baptismal promises.
The requirements of a Sponsor are that:
-- one has completed the sixteenth year of age;
-- one is a Confirmed Catholic, has already received the Sacrament of Eucharist, and leads a life of faith in harmony with the undertaking of this duty.
-- and, whenever possible, the Sponsor be the same as the Baptismal Sponsor.
Because of the close connection between Baptism and Confirmation, the Church encourages a Sponsor at Confirmation to be the same as the one for Baptism. This emphasizes the ongoing nurturing and continued relationship that is so important between an individual and his/her Sponsor.
It is not allowed for parents to act as Sponsor for their child. A Sponsor need not be the same sex as the Candidate.
Sponsors are expected to:
-- regularly communicate with the Candidate about his/her progress in the program (at least once every couple of weeks).
-- commit to daily prayer for the Candidate.
-- present the Candidate at the Confirmation Celebration to the Bishop
-- continue your support as the newly confirmed discovers more and more about his/her faith.
-- attend the Sponsor/Candidate meeting
-- attend the Confirmation practice
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