RCIA Sponsors

What is a sponsor?
The primary role of a sponsor or godparent is to be a spiritual friend to the catechumen or baptized candidate.  She or he is a person of prayer, willing to serve as a mentor or guide into the Catholic faith, and be an example of good Catholic living for the RCIA member.

Why is a sponsor needed?
A sponsor is not a catechist and isn’t expected to know more about church teaching than the average adult Catholic. He or she is there to help answer questions, and to know who to call on to find answers to questions she or he may not be able to immediately answer.

What is the time commitment of a sponsor?
A sponsor makes a commitment for the period of the catechumenate, which is the 5 or 6 months between the Rite of Acceptance and the Easter Vigil or reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). The sponsor also continues to be a companion to the RCIA member as the member becomes more deeply involved in the life of the Church and the parish.

What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?

1. Attend the Rite of Acceptance with the RCIA member 

2. Attend classes with the RCIA member beginning October 14, 2020 or whenever possible

3. Attend the Rite of Enrollment of Names of the Elect and the Rite of Election

4. Accompany the RCIA member to Mass and parish functions whenever possible

5. Witness how he or she lives the teachings of the Church in his/her own life

6. Share everyday situations, joys and challenges that life brings

These responsibilities require a close physical proximity to St. Mark’s.  It would be difficult for a sponsor to adequately fulfill these responsibilities if he or she does not live within driving distance, however a proxy may stand in the place of the sponsor at the Easter Vigil should the sponsor not be able to attend.

Who can be a sponsor?
A sponsor is to be a fully initiated Catholic (baptized and confirmed), living according to the teachings of the Church. If she or he is a registered member of St. Mark’s parish, sacramental records will be on file OR, if he or she is not a registered member of St. Mark’s, a letter stating that he or she is a Catholic in good standing and qualified to be a sponsor, is to be requested from the parish where she or he has been registered. If the chosen sponsor is married, their marriage needs to be valid in the Catholic Church.

It is generally not advisable that a parent, spouse, fiancé, or significant other serve as a sponsor.

Is a sponsor the same as a godparent?
Not necessarily.  A godparent is a person who agrees to be there for a person who is being baptized – to help them grow in the faith after baptism. If the RCIA member is already baptized, she or he already has a godparent or godparents.  If the member has not been baptized, the RCIA sponsor can become the member’s godparent when he or she is baptized, accompanying the member throughout the RCIA process. The RCIA member can choose another person to fulfill the role of a confirmation sponsor, if desired.  In so doing, the RCIA member who has not been baptized will have a godparent and a confirmation sponsor.

What if the RCIA member is unable to find a sponsor?
If the RCIA member is not able to find a sponsor, or if the desired sponsor does not live in close proximity to St. Mark’s, he or she is to ask any member of the RCIA Team for help in finding a sponsor.  There are members of the parish who would love to fill this role!