Sponsors and Godparents walk the RCIA journey with Catechumens (unbaptized) and Candidates (baptized) who are interested in becoming Catholic. Generally, Godparents present the Catechumen for Baptism, and a Sponsor presents the Candidate for reception into the church and Confirmation. Many times for Catechumens, the Sponsor is also one of the Godparents. [You can have more than one Godparent, but only one Sponsor.] Throughout the RCIA at St. Jude's the term sponsor is used interchangeably for both Godparent and Sponsor.
How does a sponsor “walk the RCIA journey” with their Candidate or Catechumen? By being a companion to one person in the process by sharing their Catholic faith, answering questions (No, you do not have to know ALL the answers!), praying regularly for and with your partner, attending RCIA sessions, and participating in the RCIA Rites.
As you might guess, there are requirments for someone to be a Godparent or Sponsor. They include:
Details of the "official" requiremnts from the Code of Cannon Law are listed below.
Because with the RCIA process, Candidates and Catechumens are adults, they will generally select their own Godparents or Sponsor. Howerver, it is occasionally the case that they don't know someone who would meet all the requirenments. If this is your situation, the RCIA Coordinator can help you find someone. There are often people within the parish who are glad to serve in this role.
One final note, if your Godparent or Sponsor is someone who is "not known" at St. Judes, for example they live in another state or attend a different Catholic church, it may be that a "Letter of Good Standing" from their pastor will be required to verify that they meet the requirments.
All Godparents and Sponsors must complete and submit a "Sponsor or Godparent Information Form" to the RCIA Coordinator as soon as practical.
If you would like to serve as a Godparent or Sponsor, you will need to be over the age of 16, Baptized, Confirmed, actively practicing your Faith, and willing to make a weekly commitment.
This is a big commitment, but it can be one of the most rewarding ministries our Church offers. The Holy Spirit brings people together as partners. Many lifetime friendships have grown from these partnerships. Sponsorship training is provided. For more information, or to volunteer as a sponsor, e-mail the RCIA Coordinator or call the Parish Office at 423-870-2386.
Code of Cannon Law
CHAPTER IV
SPONSORS
Cannon 872
Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
Cannon 873
There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
Cannon 874
§1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
1] be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
2] have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
3] 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;
4] not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
5] not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.