Saints LightHow Do I Choose a Sponsor or Godparent?
Choose a confirmed, practicing Catholic who will pray for you and walk with you; the Church sets a few clear requirements so the role means something.
Nobody becomes Christian alone. From the beginning, the Church has asked each new believer to have a companion who already lives the faith. For the unbaptized this person is a godparent; for baptized candidates it is a sponsor. In practice the role is similar: a friend who prays for you, comes to the rites with you, answers questions, and keeps walking with you after Easter.
Canon law sets out who can serve (canon 872 to 874). In summary, a godparent or sponsor must be chosen by you and be willing to do the job; be at least sixteen, unless the bishop sets another age or the pastor makes an exception for a good reason; be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist; live a life of faith that fits the role; not be under a canonical penalty; and not be your parent. You may have one godparent, or one man and one woman (canon 873).
In the United States, "a life of faith" is usually understood to include going to Mass and, if married, being married in a way the Church recognizes. Do not let that frighten you or your friend. If you are unsure, ask your parish quietly before you invite someone.
What about a beloved Protestant friend? A baptized Christian who is not Catholic may stand with a Catholic godparent as a Christian witness, but cannot be the godparent (canon 874 §2). That is not a judgment on their faith. A godparent speaks for the Catholic Church's faith, so it needs to be someone who professes it in full.
Since Confirmation and Baptism belong together, the Church suggests that your baptismal godparent also be your sponsor for Confirmation when possible (CCC 1311). For adults received at the Easter Vigil, it is usually the same person.
How to choose well: look for someone whose faith you admire, not just your closest friend or a relative who would feel left out. Choose someone who will actually show up. If you do not know any Catholics well, tell your OCIA team. Parishes regularly pair people with a parishioner, and many lifelong friendships begin that way.
Key points
- A sponsor or godparent is a companion in faith, not an honorary title.
- They must be a confirmed Catholic, at least sixteen, who has received the Eucharist and lives the faith.
- A baptized non-Catholic can be a Christian witness but not the godparent.
- If you do not know anyone, the parish can help you find a sponsor.
The Word of God
It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society: If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 1255
- CCC 1311
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
Write down two or three people whose faith you admire, then ask your OCIA leader whether each one meets the requirements before you invite anyone.
Check yourself: three questions
1. Which of these people could serve as your godparent?
- Your mother, who is a devout Catholic
- A fifteen year old cousin who loves the faith
- A confirmed Catholic coworker, age 40, who goes to Mass every Sunday
- Your best friend, a devoted Baptist pastor
Show the answer
A confirmed Catholic coworker, age 40, who goes to Mass every Sunday. Canon 874 asks for a confirmed Catholic of at least sixteen who has received the Eucharist and lives the faith, and who is not the person's parent.
2. What role can a baptized Protestant friend have at your Baptism?
- None at all; they may not attend
- They can be a Christian witness alongside a Catholic godparent
- They can be the godparent if they sign a promise
- They can be the godparent only if no Catholic is available
Show the answer
They can be a Christian witness alongside a Catholic godparent. A baptized non-Catholic can serve only as a witness together with a Catholic godparent (canon 874 §2).
3. What is the main job of a sponsor or godparent?
- To pay for the celebration and buy a gift
- To stand in for you if you cannot attend the rite
- To keep your OCIA attendance records
- To pray for you and help you live as a Catholic, before and after Easter
Show the answer
To pray for you and help you live as a Catholic, before and after Easter. The sponsor helps the person through initiation and in living a Christian life afterward (canon 872).
Words to know
- Godparent
- The Catholic who presents an unbaptized person for Baptism and helps them live the faith.
- Sponsor
- The Catholic who accompanies a baptized candidate, especially for Confirmation.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The group should understand what a sponsor or godparent is for and the Church's requirements, and leave ready to choose someone who will truly walk with them in faith.
Opener. Ask: "Who in your life has been a mentor or guide, someone who showed you how to do something by walking alongside you?" Let a few people share. Sponsors who are present can share why they said yes.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think the Church asks that no one become Christian alone? [Faith is received from others and lived with others (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). The sponsor is a companion, not a title.]
- Why must a sponsor be a confirmed, practicing Catholic? [The role means something: they will witness to the faith. Some will be disappointed that a beloved relative does not qualify; be gentle and mention that a baptized non-Catholic can be a Christian witness.]
- What would make someone a good sponsor beyond meeting the requirements? [Prayer, availability, honesty, staying in touch after Easter.]
- What should you do if you do not know anyone to ask? [The parish can help find someone. Make sure no one leaves feeling alone.]
Activity. Each person writes the names of two or three people whose faith they admire (5 minutes). Then, privately with the leader or in pairs, check those names against the requirements listed in the lesson. For anyone without a name, the team notes it and promises to help. If sponsors are present, pair each person with their sponsor for 7 minutes to share one hope for the year.
Closing prayer. Lord, You never meant us to walk alone. Thank You for the people who have shown us Your love. Lead each of us to the right sponsor or godparent, bless those who will walk with us, and make us good companions to others in our turn. Amen.
Timing. Opening prayer 5 min, opener 7 min, read the lesson together 12 min, discussion 18 min, activity 13 min, closing 5 min.
Related lessons
- Godparents: Who Can Be One, and What Do They Really Do? (Baptism, free)
Keep your place in the app
Becoming Catholic: Your OCIA Companion is free in the Saints Light app too, where you can mark each lesson done, take it as a guided class and keep notes.
Every course is open free for your first 14 days. After that, one payment of $14.99 unlocks every course. There is no subscription.