OCIA Sponsor Form

What is a Sponsor?
If you decide to enter the formal process of becoming Catholic you will have a sponsor, someone who journeys with you during the OCIA process. Your sponsor is someone who can be personally available to you to discuss and process your experience. When choosing a sponsor it's preferable to have someone who lives in the area and, if possible, attends classes with you. If you do not have someone in mind for a sponsor, we can assign a parishioner who would be glad to journey with you in this process. Please consult the requirements below and the recommended traits to the right when choosing your sponsor.

Requirements of a Sponsor 
In order to be a sponsor the person must be at least 17 years old, have received the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation and live a life in harmony with the Catholic faith. This means they follow the precepts of the Church as mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2041-2043. If the person is married, they must be in a valid marriage. The sponsor cannot be the parent of the candidate nor a spouse or fiancé.


Traits of a Good Sponsor 

• Shares the faith: lives the Catholic faith with integrity and through their actions.
• Prayerful: knows the importance of an active prayer life and will pray for you and may even teach you how to pray.
• Good listener: wiling to listen to you and respects your privacy.
• Informed and involved: demonstrates their commitment by being active in the parish and knows what’s going on in the Church and in the world, and willing to attend sessions with you.
• Willing to Challenge: able to be honest with you and hold you accountable to your OCIA commitment looking out for your spiritual well-being and interest.