Spotlight on Sponsorship

Who can Sponsor?

Any persons who have participated in Emmaus can sponsor another person to Emmaus so long as they understand the aim and responsibilities of sponsorship and can fulfill them for the person they would sponsor. Persons who have participated in Chrysalis can also sponsor adults to Emmaus under the same conditions. The same conditions for sponsorship apply also to persons who have participated in Cursillo, Tres Dias, or another valid expression of the fourth-day movements.

Given the importance of sponsorship, Boards of Directors may develop local guidelines and reasonable expectations to ensure responsible sponsorship. For example, Emmaus application forms may have a provision that potential sponsors are to give evidence that they understand and accept responsibilities of sponsorship for the person being sponsored. Registrars may expect and ask potential sponsors to indicate that they have attended a sponsorship training session, so long as such opportunities are accessible throughout the year at Gatherings, community education days, or in other ways. Young persons who have participated in Chrysalis may be asked to find adult cosponsors who will share or assist with the duties of sponsorship. Potential sponsors who have participated in some other valid expression of Emmaus may need to confirm a degree of contact with, or involvement in, the local Emmaus community along with an understanding of Emmaus and sponsorship.

Sponsors should not serve as team members on Walks with persons they are sponsoring. If the persons choose to serve as team members, they should find others who will fill the responsibilities of sponsorship for any person they would sponsor. Team members cannot support a pilgrim during the three-day event in the manner intended, such as Sponsors’ Hour, the 72-Hour Pray Vigil, and Candlelight. Confusing the roles of team member and sponsor in one’s relationship with the pilgrim diminishes the value of both roles. On the one hand, team members who also sponsor are often incapable of serving without anticipating, hovering, and being distracted by a special interest in the responses of “their“ pilgrims.

On the other hand, the hopes and expectations of their ever-present sponsors on the team may limit pilgrims’ freedom to respond, a likelihood that is antithetical to the principles of Emmaus. Not only should sponsors not serve as team members on the same Walk, but the pilgrims should not see their sponsors during the event. The absence of the sponsor gives the pilgrim the space they need for their own special interaction with and experience of God during the 72-hour Walk.