Submit Confirmation Information

A sponsor must: be at least 16 years old (the pastor may grant an exception for a just cause); be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on; not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed. (Code of Canon Law, canon 874.1).

This means, for instance, that to serve as a sponsor, someone must be able to say of him/herself truly:

• I understand that a godparent is expected to serve as a role model in living the Catholic faith. I believe and profess all that the Catholic Church teaches.
• I actively practice my Catholic faith.
• I assist at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, unless dispensed or prevented from attending by a serious reason (such as illness).
• I am not bound by a canonical penalty that has been imposed or declared.
• I am not publicly living in a way incompatible with the full practice of my Catholic faith (examples of situations that would generally prevent someone from serving as a godparent include: living with a member of the opposite sex in a romantic relationship while unmarried; living as if married in a marriage not recognized as valid by the Catholic Church; active membership in a society incompatible with Catholic faith, such as the Masons; publicly rejecting teachings of the Catholic Church; publicly supporting positions considered seriously immoral by the Catholic Church).