During a visit to St. Catherine of Sienna parish in Wake Forest, Bishop Luis Zarama took a moment to address the important role of mentors and sponsors in our Catholic Faith. Bishop Luis stressed that the role of a sponsor goes beyond the ritual of confirmation. He asked sponsors to consider the example they set and to ask what they are doing to make young people excited about the faith journey ahead.
“Something is there in you to attract the candidate to choose you to support him or her,” said Bishop Luis. “What is the joy you are looking to share with the confirmandi that enables them to enjoy the moment and live the gift that person will receive? It’s a beautiful responsibility to help someone learn to love their faith.”
In a recent address to the Dicastery for Evangelization on May 28, 2026, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that evangelization must remain “the fundamental motivation” of the Church’s mission. And central to this mission is personal witness. Pope Leo stressed that Christianity is transmitted most convincingly through lives marked by joy, credibility, humility, and fidelity to Christ. Mentoring and accompaniment are crucial to evangelization and discipleship. Throughout the Church’s history, the faith has often been passed on person to person: parents to children, teachers to students, friends to friends, and sponsors to candidates preparing for the sacraments. In a culture where many people feel isolated or spiritually uncertain, faithful mentors can help others encounter Christ in a personal and lasting way.
The role of a confirmation sponsor exemplifies this model. Ideally, a sponsor is not merely a ceremonial participant for a single day but a lifelong companion in faith — someone who encourages prayer, offers guidance, and models Christian discipleship. The same spirit of accompaniment can strengthen parish life, youth ministry, OCIA programs, and outreach to those returning to the Church.
“The role of the confirmation sponsor should be more than just a hand on their shoulder during the rite; they should, if possible, be a continued presence in their lives,” said Kerry Urdzik, Director of Religious Education at St. Catherine of Siena. "In addition to praying for them, they should use their own gifts of the spirit to help guide these young people, providing a spiritual anchor in the storms of life and helping them stay connected to the practice of their faith. Being a confirmation sponsor is a responsibility but also a tremendous opportunity to accompany these teenagers during those transitional years into adulthood, which can be full of angst and self-doubt."
Evangelization becomes more effective when Catholics intentionally walk alongside one another, helping each person grow in holiness and perseverance. In this sense, mentoring is not secondary to evangelization; it is critical. Through patient accompaniment and credible witness, Catholics help others discover that faith is not merely a set of ideas but a living relationship with Christ shared within the community of the Church.