What If a Confirmation Sponsor Isn't Regularly Going to Mass? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

Alright, friends, here’s the gist of Patrick Madrid’s conversation with Ken from Wisconsin about Confirmation sponsors: do they really need to be in good standing with the Church?   What’s the Job of a Sponsor Anyway?   Patrick says to think of a Confirmation sponsor (or a godparent) as a spiritual guide. They’re supposed to help the person they’re sponsoring grow closer to Jesus and the Church. But if a sponsor isn’t living their own faith: like, say, skipping Mass or being lax about Church teachings, then… how can they guide anyone else? 🤷‍♂️   As Patrick explained, the Church has basic rules for sponsors. Here’s a quick checklist:   -Must be baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church.   -Should be living their faith (like, actually going to Mass on Sundays 🛐).   -If married, they must be married in the Church.   -Can’t be the parent of the person being baptized/confirmed.   Ken’s Situation    Ken shared a tricky situation: one of his OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) students picked her uncle as her sponsor. Sounds fine, right? Well, turns out the uncle doesn’t really go to Mass. 😬 Uh-oh.   Patrick was super thoughtful here. He pointed out that this isn’t just about checking a box. Being a sponsor isn’t a ceremonial role; it’s a real responsibility! A sponsor is meant to guide someone to heaven, not just wave from the pews on Easter Vigil. If this uncle isn’t practicing his faith, then... what exactly is he "sponsoring"? 🤔   The Gentle Fix: What Would Patrick Do?   Patrick encouraged Ken to handle this with love and respect: no finger-wagging or guilt trips here. 👇   Educate gently: Ken can explain the importance of a sponsor’s role during class, so it doesn’t feel like he’s calling out Uncle Mass-Skipper directly.   Encourage a comeback: Patrick explains that maybe the uncle just doesn’t realize how serious this role is. It could even inspire him to start going to Mass again. Imagine: he helps his niece AND rekindles his own faith. That’s a win-win! 🙌   What We Can Take Away From This?   Sponsors matter! They should be role models in faith, not just placeholders.   Sometimes people need a loving nudge to take their faith seriously.   God can use situations like this to bring people back to Him. Never underestimate His grace! 🙌   So, moral of the story? If you’re ever asked to be a sponsor, don’t just say yes for the photo-op. Live the role. Go to Mass, pray, grow in your faith, and help guide someone else toward Christ. ❤️     The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.