Qualifications to serve as a Sponsor (Godparent) at Baptism:

There is only one male sponsor and one female sponsor or one of each.  The role of the sponsor to Godparent is, “together with the parents, to present an infant at baptism, and help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully obligations connected with it” (Canon 872874). Thus, the Church has established the following norms governing the qualifications needed to be a sponsor or Godparent.

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The sponsor must:

• Be designated by the parents of the one to be baptized 

• Be at least sixteen (16) years old 

• Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist

• Lead a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on 

• Not be the father or mother of the one being baptized 

• Not be bound by any canonical penalty 

• If married, must be married in the Catholic Church

 

Please note, even though one may be Catholic, he or she may be restricted from exercising the office of sponsor if he or she does not live the faith in the manner that is in keeping with the responsibilities of the office, for example:

• Not participating regularly at Mass 

• Living in a marriage not recognized by the Church (invalid marriage) or co-habitating, living in free union. 

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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. (At least one Godparent MUST be Catholic).

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Each sponsor must provide a letter (or sponsor certificate) from his or her parish of registration to attest that the sponsor is a Catholic in good standing and has received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation).                      ***Sponsors requesting sponsor letters from Immaculate Conception must meet the Active Parishioner guidelines.***

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Qualifications to serve as a Sponsor for Confirmation:

There is only one sponsor for Confirmation. The Church has established the following norms governing the qualifications needed to be a sponsor (Canon 872-874).

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The sponsor must:

• Be at least sixteen (16) years old

• Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist 

• Lead a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on 

• Not be the father or mother of the one being baptized 

• Not be bound by any canonical penalty

• If married, must be married in the Catholic Church

 

Please note, even though one may be Catholic, he or she may be restricted from exercising the office of sponsor if he or she does not live the faith in the manner that is in keeping with the responsibilities of the office, for example:

•  Not participating regularly at Mass 

• Living in a marriage not recognized by the Church (invalid marriage) or co-habitating, living in free union 

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The sponsor must provide a letter (or sponsor certificate) from his or her parish of registration to attest that the sponsor is Catholic in good standing and has received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation).

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***Sponsors requesting sponsor letters from Immaculate Conception must meet the Active Parishioner guidelines.***

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