There is more to being a good sponsor than just filling out the application for your candidate.  This list is meant to be a guide on being a good sponsor.

1. Pray.  Talk to God about your candidate before talking to your candidate about God.

2. Select your candidate carefully.  Know your candidate well. A candidate should be mature, stable in their walk of life and free from the burden of a recent loss, such as a death in the family or divorce.  Candidates should be free of severe problems, such as an addiction to alcohol or drugs, or facing a terminal illness in their own life or that of a spouse or family member.  Be certain that your candidate will have time for living the full CEC life after their weekend, including grouping and attending ultreya.  If your candidate is baptized Catholic, they must be practicing that faith.  If they are not Catholic, they must be at least willing to grow in a relationship with God.  They should know that the weekend is Catholic in its content, direction, and prayer services.  Christians of other faiths are welcome to join us and take part in everything except our Communion Service.

3. Contact your potential candidate.  If married, be sure to speak to both at the same time.  Be certain you get a "yes" from both the husband and wife.  The wife must be committed to making her weekend the month after the husband.  The sponsor must fill out the application form and send it in - NOT the candidate.

4. Inform your candidates.  This is not a retreat, but a weekend experience to get closer to God, and know Him better through the Holy Spirit.  There will be talks by laity and priests.  There will be singing, jokes, fun and good food!  The talks will be about ideals, laity, study, etc.  Usually, candidates will not ask for more information.  They will not know to ask about things such as palanca and closings.  You should not lie to your candidate.  Answer questions, but do not volunteer information about surprises.  Remember, there are no secrets.

5. Explain to your candidates the mission of CEC, which is to evangelize our world.  Let them know that after the weekend, there are meetings of the people who have attended.  Discuss that part our philosophy is grouping, which will be taught on the weekend.  Explain that grouping is our way of supporting fellow Christians through accountability and growth.

6. Make sure that you personally bring your candidate to the monastery for the weekend, or if that's not possible, arrange for a ride.  Also, part of the weekend experience is the ride home, during which you can discuss the weekend with your candidate and answer any questions.  Your candidate will be excited after the weekend, and want to talk!

7. Send at least two palanca letters to your candidate, Saturday and Sunday.  Ask other fourth dayers, especially friends, to send palanca as well.

8. Be at the closing for your candidate.

9. Follow-up with your candidate after the weekend, especially the first few weeks.  Help them get into a group, or group with them yourself.  Invite them to your local ultreya.