Quick answers for first-time and veteran sponsors alike.
📝 Draft for Timeka: these questions and answers were assembled from existing site content and the sponsor commitment — edit, expand, and make it yours.
Who can be a sponsor?
Anyone who has attended a Via de Cristo (or recognized sister-movement) weekend and is active in the community. A female can sponsor a male and a male can sponsor a female with a co-sponsor of the same sex.
What am I committing to as a sponsor?
Six things: (1) personally escort your candidate to Sendoff, (2) be present during the weekend for Chapel Palanca, (3) escort the candidate's spouse to the Friday-night meeting where applicable, (4) place your candidate in a Reunion Group, (5) follow up on your candidate's progress for at least one year, and (6) actively participate in your candidate's weekend.
How do I submit an application?
Use the online application — ideally, fill it out together with your candidate in one sitting. If your candidate starts it on their own, you'll receive an email to complete the sponsor portion.
What about the pastor's signature?
Nothing for you to do! When the application is submitted, the candidate's pastor automatically receives a short, pre-filled acknowledgment form to sign on their phone. If it's still unsigned after a few days, the Pre-Weekend team can re-send it with one click. Please don't sign the pastor form yourself — it's for the pastor only.
Who pays the weekend fee, and when?
You decide together: the sponsor may pay, the candidate may pay, or someone else (a scholarship or church). Please wait to pay until you receive an email confirmation that your candidate has been accepted for the weekend. Payment is made securely online after that confirmation.
What happens after I submit?
You'll receive an immediate confirmation email. Closer to the weekend, sponsors and candidates will receive an email confirming attendance and details for the upcoming weekend.
What is Palanca and what's my role in it?
Palanca is prayer — an outward expression of agape love through prayer and sacrifice. As a sponsor you collect Palanca letters for your candidate from family and friends and deliver them before the serenade begins on Saturday. Learn more on our Palanca page.
What are special diet responsibilities?
Include medical-only special diets on the application. The sponsor is responsible for providing food for special diets and allergies — please label containers clearly.
What does my candidate need to pack?
You'll receive a packing list with the acceptance confirmation. Key rule: no electronic devices. You'll carry their luggage at Sendoff — "be Jesus with skin on."
What happens after the weekend?
The real purpose of the weekend begins: get your new Cursillista into a Reunion Group, bring them to the team/candidate post-meeting and their first Ultreya, and stay engaged with their spiritual growth for at least a year.
