Dear Children of The Upper Room,
As you advance on your faith journey towards your Confirmation, you now have an important decision to make. It is time for you to choose a travel companion. Someone who will accompany you from now until your Confirmation day and who will continue to be there for you long-after Catechism has ended. This companion is called a sponsor (sometimes referred to as your Godmother / Godfather).
This Diving Deeper exercise will serve as a guide to help you to make this very important decision. And of course, you should make this decision together with your parents! Maybe you already have somebody in mind. Maybe you have MANY candidates in mind. Maybe you are feeling uncertain about who to choose. Here are some questions that should help guide you:
What is the Role of my Sponsor?
Your Confirmation sponsor will play a special role not just in the celebration of your Confirmation, but in your faith-life as a child, teenager and even into adulthood!
The person you choose as a sponsor will act as a mentor to you, they will become a “spiritual” parent to you. Together, you will be companions on this faith journey and will strive to become more committed and more responsible Catholics.
Here are some things to consider when choosing your Sponsor:
They must be ...
Yes, you may choose the same person who was a Godparent at your Baptism. No, you may not ask one of your parents to be your Sponsor.
This is a big decision that needs to be taken seriously.
This is to be done with an adult
Start off by saying this prayer with your parents:
Prayer of the Candidate
O Holy Spirit, You have been with me and have counselled me ever since my Baptism. I thank You for this. Now that I am about to be confirmed in my faith,
I ask for your aid. Please inspire me and my parents to choose a sponsor who will prepare me well for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Be with us as we weigh the different choices. Help us make an intelligent choice, not just an emotional one. Help me to choose someone who will love me and teach me to love Jesus.
I desire to become a strong, faith-filled Christian. Lead us to the person who will be the best guide for me.
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Here is special prayer your parents can say:
Parent’s Prayer
O Holy Spirit, You have entrusted (name of child) to us. Our role as parents is to
protect and nurture (name of child) in every way. Give us grace to know who would be
the best partner in carrying out our responsibility to protect and nourish their faith life.
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Reflection Questions to discuss with your parents:
Once you have decided on who you will be choosing
May the Holy Spirit guide me as I choose my sponsor! I will pray for (name of your sponsor) , that they may be moved by the same Spirit, and that (they) will accept the role with a prayerful and enthusiastic response. Amen
After completing your reflection, after completing your reflection, please review the following guidelines for preparing a letter to your sponsor. You will submit it to the Faith First team as well as to your sponsor:
*Bonus* send us a picture of you delivering your letter to your sponsor!
Here is a template you may use in writing your letter to your sponsor :
Dear (fill in the name), As you know, I am preparing for my Confirmation. I am looking for someone to be my sponsor, someone who will help bring me closer to Jesus. I would like to ask you to be my sponsor:
Please pray for me as I prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, here is a prayer you can say for me:
Holy Spirit, strengthen (name of child) with your gifts of grace, to love and serve as a disciple of Christ. Grant that they may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Fill them with the joy of your presence. Increase in them the fruit of your Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of love, patience and gentleness, the spirit of wonder and true holiness.
Your name here
When you are finished please submit an image of your letter to the Faith First Team. Then send the letter to your sponsor
Certificates & Sponsor Information
Please note the following step will involve retrieving the sponsor confirmation certificate. More information will be included in the next Diving Deeper.
Place a copy of the letter in your duotang