Reconnect with your godchildren and those you sponsored for Confirmation

What does it mean to be a godparent or to be someone’s confirmation sponsor? The roles are the same, and traditionally the godparent who spoke for a child at baptism would be the same as the confirmation sponsor. In Baptism, we may identify the sponsor of a child as godmother or godfather, but the technical term is still “sponsor.”

In either case, the primary responsibility of the sponsor or godparents is to provide the candidate prayerful support and guidance in his or her Christian walk and to “take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament” (Canon 892).

Being a sponsor is a lifelong commitment. A sponsor takes on the role of a spiritual parent who “brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, presents him to the minister for the anointing, and will later help him to fulfill his baptismal promises faithfully under the influence of the Holy Spirit” (Rite of Confirmation 5).

In other words, you are responsible that this person is raised with the freedom to choose Christ when they are older. So what can sponsors do to assist candidates in their lifelong journey?

1. Make the Catholic faith an essential part of your life: The more you are engaged in your faith, the more Jesus will inspire you to be the spiritual role model you desire to be. Go to Mass, read scripture, pray daily, go to Reconciliation often, and be attentive to God’s presence in your life.
2. Pray for them: We can always pray for those we guide no matter where we are. Make a habit to pray for them daily.
3. Be in contact: Even if you live far away or haven’t spoken to your godchild in years, find a way to connect with them. Call, write a letter, or arrange to meet with them for breakfast or some activity they would enjoy. If they’re young, reconnect with their parents first.
4. Stay in contact: Make a habit of connecting with your godchild. Note their baptism or confirmation date and give religious gifts such as Catholic art, a crucifix, or books about the saints, prayer, and growing in faith on those dates rather than their birthday to keep those days special. Ask them when they are going to Mass. Invite them to go to Mass with you.
5. Take the role seriously: Years ago, godparents also took care of their godchild should anything happen to the parents. That shows what an important role it was and still is. Tell them what Jesus means in your life. Tell them how Jesus affects their daily life. Bishop Folda spoke to the sponsors of the confirmation candidates at St. Philip Neri Church in Napoleon on March 13 during his homily, saying, “Don’t be afraid to give them a little encouragement now and then. We all need that. You can certainly help this young person you are standing with today grow in their faith. You are a very important part of this celebration.”

Being a godparent or confirmation sponsor is a two-way street. Guiding someone else in their faith allows us to share the grace we receive, and doing so is its own reward. We never know how much our efforts and a little encouragement will affect the lives of others. If your own godparents or sponsors have fallen away from the faith or passed away, pray for them. If you don’t feel qualified to be a godparent, have faith. Somehow God chose you, and he won’t abandon you in your efforts to lead another close to him.