Author Topic: Confirmation Sponsor (Read 1365 times)

SenzaDubbio · « **on:** February 16, 2014, 12:15:35 AM »

What is the point of the Confirmation sponsor? How should one chose a sponsor as an adult?

Dolores · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2014, 11:27:49 AM »

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

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The Church prescribes under pain of grievous sin that a sponsor, or godparent, shall stand for the person confirmed. The sponsor should be at least fourteen years of age, of the same sex as the candidate, should have already received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and be well instructed in the Catholic Faith. From this office are excluded the father and mother of the candidate, members of a religious order (unless the candidate be a religious), public sinners, and those who are under public ban of interdict or excommunication. Except in case of necessity the baptismal godparent cannot serve as sponsor for the same person in confirmation. Where the opposite practice obtains, it should, according to a decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Council, 16 Feb., 1884, be gradually done away with. The Second Plenary Council of Baltimore (1866) declared that each candidate should have a sponsor, or that at least two godfathers should stand for the boys and two godmothers for the girls (n. 253). See also prescriptions of the First Council of Westminster. Formerly it was customary for the sponsor to place his or her right foot upon the foot of the candidate during the administration of the sacrament; the present usage is that the sponsor's right hand should be placed upon the right shoulder of the candidate. The Holy Office decreed, 16 June, 1884, that no sponsor could stand for more than two candidates except in case of necessity. The custom of giving a new name to the candidate is not obligatory; but it has the sanction of several synodal decrees during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Fifth Council of Milan, under St. Charles Borromeo, insisted that a candidate whose name was "vile, ridiculous, or quite unbecoming for a Christian" should receive another at Confirmation" (cf. Martène).

Mabel · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2014, 11:59:28 AM »

Quote from: Dolores

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

Quote
The Church prescribes under pain of grievous sin that a sponsor, or godparent, shall stand for the person confirmed. The sponsor should be at least fourteen years of age, of the same sex as the candidate, should have already received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and be well instructed in the Catholic Faith. From this office are excluded the father and mother of the candidate, members of a religious order (unless the candidate be a religious), public sinners, and those who are under public ban of interdict or excommunication. Except in case of necessity the baptismal godparent cannot serve as sponsor for the same person in confirmation. Where the opposite practice obtains, it should, according to a decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Council, 16 Feb., 1884, be gradually done away with. The Second Plenary Council of Baltimore (1866) declared that each candidate should have a sponsor, or that at least two godfathers should stand for the boys and two godmothers for the girls (n. 253). See also prescriptions of the First Council of Westminster. Formerly it was customary for the sponsor to place his or her right foot upon the foot of the candidate during the administration of the sacrament; the present usage is that the sponsor's right hand should be placed upon the right shoulder of the candidate. The Holy Office decreed, 16 June, 1884, that no sponsor could stand for more than two candidates except in case of necessity. The custom of giving a new name to the candidate is not obligatory; but it has the sanction of several synodal decrees during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Fifth Council of Milan, under St. Charles Borromeo, insisted that a candidate whose name was "vile, ridiculous, or quite unbecoming for a Christian" should receive another at Confirmation" (cf. Martène).

Thanks, hopefully two of my children will be confirmed this year. One of our troubles is finding a sponsor!

Marlelar · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2014, 02:07:59 PM »

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A further consequence is the spiritual relationship which the person confirming and the sponsor contract with the recipient and with the recipient's parents. This relationship constitutes a diriment impediment to marriage. It does not arise between the minister of the sacrament and the sponsor nor between the sponsors themselves.

link

This is interesting, because I know of NO individuals who have been sponsors for their fiancees/fiances/spouses.

I wonder why they use the term "minister of the sacrament" instead of Bishop?

Marsha

Frances · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2014, 02:47:49 PM »

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I wonder why they use the term "minister of the sacrament" instead of Bishop.

Because a priest may administer the Sacrament under certain very specific conditions.

Agree, it's not easy to find a sponsor, especially if you haven't an established chapel nearby. I would ask the priest or Bishop, himself for suggestions. Many of us do not have anyone who can meet the qualifications. It's a sign of the chaos of our times and a scattered, confused flock.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2014, 05:40:29 PM »

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The Holy Office decreed, 16 June, 1884, that no sponsor could stand for more than two candidates except in case of necessity.

Does this mean no more than two ever?

Mabel · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2014, 05:45:52 PM »

Quote from: MaterDominici

Quote
The Holy Office decreed, 16 June, 1884, that no sponsor could stand for more than two candidates except in case of necessity.

Does this mean no more than two ever?

I'm wondering if this is covered in the 1917 code?

SenzaDubbio · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2014, 10:20:16 PM »

Thank you Dolores. What is the point of the sponsor though? What does the sponsor commit to? For Baptism, the godparent speaks on behalf of the child and will seek to it that the child is raised in the Faith.

poche · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2014, 01:08:26 AM »

Quote from: SenzaDubbio

Thank you Dolores. What is the point of the sponsor though? What does the sponsor commit to? For Baptism, the godparent speaks on behalf of the child and will seek to it that the child is raised in the Faith.

The sponsor vouches for the worthiness of the candidate to recieve the sacrament. In an earlier time you had to be introduced to the Church. The sponsor would watch over you and see to it that you were living a life in conformity with the Christian faith.