CHOOSING YOUR SPONSOR & YOUR CONFIRMATION NAME
SPONSOR: You do not journey alone within the Christian community. Along the way, you
make ties with certain people who demonstrate in their lives what it means to be a Catholic. A
sponsor is one of those people with whom you can discuss faith issues, turn to for guidance and
ask for prayer. Your sponsor will stand up for you before the community on Enrollment Sunday
followed by lunch and the Candidate Sponsor meeting, and present you to the bishop during the
Confirmation Ceremony. Your sponsor’s influence in your life continues after the celebration.
“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter. He who finds one finds a treasure.” - Book of Sirach
The qualifications of choosing a sponsor:
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Be at least 16 years old
Be an active practicing Catholic who has received Confirmation and Eucharist.
May not be bound by a canonical penalty (e.g. he or she may not be divorced and
remarried without an annulment).
May not be your parent.
Suggestion! An appropriate choice (connecting Baptism and Confirmation) may be your
Godparent (if he/she meets the above criteria). Pray about your choice and enjoy the
opportunity to connect in faith!
Need Help finding a sponsor? Contact the Religious Education or Youth Ministry Office
CONFIRMATION NAME: A name identifies us in a unique way, not just
our physical selves, but who we are as person. It is also a part of our religious
history.
When you were born, your parents chose your name. At your Baptism you were
called by name and christened to become a child of God. Your first name is your
“Christian name” and indicates your membership in the Christian community.
It is a long tradition of the Catholic Church for confirmation candidates to choose a patron saint’s
name as a Confirmation name. You need to decide if you are going to be confirmed with your
given/baptismal name or if you are going to choose a new Confirmation name. Note the
following:
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You may use your baptismal name (first or middle name) as a confirmation name if your
baptismal name is a saint’s name or a derivative of a saint’s name.
If your baptismal name is not the name of a saint you must choose the name of a saint for
your confirmation name, one whom you admire and can imitate and call upon for
intercession.
Whether you decide to stay with your Baptismal name or pick a new name, take the time to
research and explore the root meaning of the name, for as Scripture says “Yahweh calls each of
us by name.” Check out these web sites: americancatholic.org
catholic.org usccb.org
DEADLINE for choosing a Sponsor & Confirmation Name:
August 14, 2016 – Opening session for Confirmation
CONFIRMATION NAME SHEET (due 8/16/15)
My Name:
__________________________________________________________
First
Middle
Last
Confirmation Name: ______________________________________Check the
option you chose and answer the following:
OPTION 1: ____ Use your present Baptismal name (your first or middle name
which is a saint’s name). This shows the sacramental connection with the first and
second part of your initiation into the Catholic Church; Baptism and First
Eucharist. To stay with your Baptismal name would demonstrate that you feel
there has been a continual growth in your faith and you now wish to make this
formal through Confirmation.
 Why did you choose this option?
 Research and write a bit about this saint's life?
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What do you know about the history of your name? Why was this name
given to you?
CONFIRMATION NAME SHEET (due 8/16/15)
Page 2
OPTION 2: ____ Pick a saint's name. This option symbolizes a new beginning
in your faith and a connection with that particular saint. This is a good option if
you feel that you have not been strong in your faith and are now making a renewed
commitment to your faith. Your commitment would be symbolized with the taking
of a new name to show that you are in some ways now a new person. This new
name would be used after your present middle name and before your last name.
The saint's name you choose would represent the direction you feel your faith life
is taking, or would represent strength or attribute you feel you need. The option of
taking a new name is not to be used because you like the sound of the name, how it
fits with your other names, or only because it is the name of a nice friend or
relative.
 Write a bit about this saint's life.
 Why did you choose this option?
 What inspiration or meaning does this saint hold for you?