I had originally asked whether Godparents by proxy were acceptable or not. Preparing this post has been great for me as it’s made me revisit the promises I made to God when I agreed to be a godparent. The Catholic institution of godparenthood survived the Reformation largely unchanged. However, they take on a different role since usually only children have godparents for baptism. a special role in the life of the baptized person. The other can be a Protestant “Christian Witness.” Non-Christians and Baptized Catholics can never be a Christian Witness. I’ve also done a bit of research on a couple other denominations to see what the differences are. If the child is being baptised into a different denomination to your own they may do things a little differently. He is dean of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College. The non-Catholic who is selected as a witness should be an active and participating member of his/her church community. Godparent/Sponsor must be in good standing with the Catholic Church. There are two main parts where the godparents together with the parents of the baby being baptised need to respond during the service: First the pastor addresses the parents and godparents/sponsors (same thing) and says (for this example we’ll assume the baby is a girl): “Parents and Sponsors, Since you have brought _______ to be baptised, you are responsible for her upbringing in the church. When it’s time for the baptism the pastor will call you forward. Sadly, Later on when infant baptism became usual, the godparents often took the role of guardians of the child if anything happened to the parents. The minister of Baptism may decide that there is a just reason why a person who is not yet 16 may be godparent. is that the godparent not only is taking responsibility for the religious education to the beliefs of the Catholic Church. canonical penalty. Canon 874.1 follows from the Church’s theological understanding of godparents as a matter of course. A baptized, non-Catholic may serve as an “official witness” to the baptism, only if there is a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all requirements of a godparent. Every person baptized in the Catholic Church has 2 sponsors/Godparents/Christian witnesses to the baptism, from the infants to the adults. 0 0. The only situation in which a Catholic may be a godparent (sponsor) in "another ecclesial Community" is in an Eastern Orthodox Church "if he/she is so invited" (Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms of Ecumenism, 98, a, b). ... A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it. for confirmation. Catholic Parent Know How: Godparents Our Sunday Visitor (Pamphlets) Videos & CDs: Changed Forever: The Sacrament of Baptism. The idea of a godparent being added spiritually to the immediately family reminds us that our bonds as Catholics and Christians are stronger than blood. is not Catholic, although perhaps a very holy, Christian, cannot fully attest I’m aware of the questionable (or worse) validity of an LDS baptism and the theological contradictions between Catholic and LDS theology. When the baptism takes place you will need to be near the baptisimal font (where the water for baptism is held). or godfather, but the technical term remains "sponsor.". About the year 800 when infant baptism was truly Also note that these are the same requirements for confirmation sponsors. Today, most people are baptized as infants by a priest or deacon, though this is not strictly necessary (see below). male and one female. the parish and he does not attend Mass faithfully. Finally, “a baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism” (Canon 874.5.2). I'm the owner of thepuregift.com. A non-Catholic may serve as a witness to the baptism, but is not officially the godparent, a role that is reserved to Catholics alone. we should pause to clarify who qualifies as a Catholic godparent. relatives, even grandparents, who have a blood relationship with the godchild You may be wondering what you need to do at the baptism. I'm a mum with 3 young kids on the bumpy road of life, hanging tight to faith in a good God. As a godparent you probably feel like you want to get something extra... Hey there, I'm Ruth. Choosing a baptism gift for your godson is one of the first steps you will take after saying 'yes' to being a godparent. Do you intend to do this? My husband and I currently live in an area where we do not have any Catholic family members, and our Catholic friends … He descended into hell. (If so, say ‘Yes, I do’. The sponsor must not only have the Can. HOW MANY GODPARENTS? link to 9 Gift Ideas For Your Goddaughter's Baptism: Beautiful & Personalised, link to 9 Gift Ideas For Your Godson's Baptism: Cool, Unique & Personalised, Bring her to the services in God’s house and, Teach her the Lord’s prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments. 2. Saunders, Rev. 1. For more on choosing godparents, check out the FAQ above, Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God – Role of Godparents and Fr. 873). The pastor will invite you all to where you need to stand. A Christian who What are the Requirements to be Godparents for Baptism? For example, sponsors at a baptism, either for an adult or infant, are known as godparents. one sponsor for baptism — male or female, but may have two sponsors, one A few months ago we wrote about the Catholic Church’s teaching on infant baptism, specifically the Church’s command to have infants baptized as soon as possible after they are born. 1. Baptism is the first sacrament a child receives in the Church, thus making it a grand event for the whole family. The church requires at least one godparent who is a practicing, confirmed Catholic age 16 or older. They become a new creation and are called, rightly, the children of God.” (Rite of Christian Initiation, General Introduction, n. 1) Both Godparents must be baptised, and Canon Law requires that at least one Godparent to be over 16 years of age and fully initiated as a Catholic (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). While adults seeking baptism can select their godparents, such responsibility rests with the parents of the infant. Technically, only Catholics can be godparents or sponsors. The Anglican service seems to be quite similar with some different wording, but very similar meaning. Renunciation is a formal rejection of something. I certainly don’t live up to all the promises I made as a godparent all the time, but when I do remember I try to do the best I can. Anonymous. So there are some pretty serious things that godparents need to commit to at the baptism service. Cavaille-Coll October 29, 2008, 4:31am #3. For this reason, a godparent must be an active practicing Catholic. help them remember their baptism by giving a small gift on their baptism birthday/anniversary, set a good example by living a life of love – the way Jesus showed us. age for sponsorship, or the pastor or minister judges that a just cause warrants The sponsor I’m expecting a lot of heat for this. So there are some pretty serious things that godparents need to commit to at the baptism service. The role of the godparent is to help. Baptism Registration. Baptismal Godparents. Basic Guidelines and Information for Infant (to include young children) Baptism (Code of Canon Law, cc. Can someone serve as godparent by proxy (stand-in) if the godparent is unable to participate in the baptism ceremony? They become a new creation and are called, rightly, the children of God.” (Rite of Christian Initiation, General Introduction, n. 1) attain salvation. 872). Not surprisingly, we encountered a diversity of strong opinions in the comment box. Requirements to be a Catholic Godparent: “Each child may have a godfather and a godmother, the word ‘godparents’ is used in the rite to describe both.” (Rite of Baptism for Children 6) Only one godparent is necessary. So everybody who is at church answers this with the godparents and parents on behalf of the child. I’ve been to a catholic baptism where the catholic godparent lived overseas and couldn’t make it to the baptism. You may be wondering what you need to do at the baptism. One frustrated commenter defined the godparent selection process as a “minefield.” No … Why Godparents Matter Read More » A Christian of another denomination, has the attitude "I am a Catholic Baptisms in the Catholic Church usually take place on Sundays, during the parish Mass or in the early afternoon after all the Masses are over. This statement clearly reflects the historical roots William. I recently asked an Apologist a question, which they answered via private message. Registered at a Catholic parish. The parents and godparents reply together. For this specific ceremony, godparents must meet a few requirements: The small lit candle will be handed to either the parents or godparents (we blew it out when we were back in our seats). a godparent should be a trustworthy witness of the faith who will help the godchild Then a candle will be lit from the big candle in the church called the paschal candle (which symbolises the light of Jesus coming into the world). To be a sponsor, a person must be chosen by the person of having numerous sponsors, as has occurred in some cultures (No. Must be a practicing Catholic (Attend Sunday Mass weekly). As a new godparent one of the first things you will probably do is choose a gift for your goddaughter to celebrate her baptism. A baptized non-Catholic may not be a sponsor but may serve as a witness alongside a Catholic sponsor. It likewise makes no sense for a godparent of a Catholic to be someone who has ceased to practice the Catholic faith, or who lives in a sinful state that is incompatible with the life of a Catholic. A godparent must be Catholic. Q. B. Baptismal Godparents. (e.g., Anglican, United, Presbyterian, etc.) In Catholic baptisms, godparents are typically called sponsors. The Catholic institution of godparenthood survived the Reformation largely unchanged. Together they carry out the role of godparents in the baptism. "The Role of Godparents." of Canon Law, "Insofar as possible, one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor The reason for this distinction and restriction For Parents, we ask that you please call our Parish Office to confirm the dates of the baptism. . If you husband is Catholic, presumably a regular Mass attendee, surely he must know some Catholics who would make good godparents. However, I still have not found a complete answer to my question, which is why I thought to post here as well. does not practice the faith by regularly attending Mass or who is in an invalid A baptized non-Catholic may not be a godparent but can serve as a witness along with a Catholic godparent… If you don’t know the Apostles Creed off by heart don’t worry – it will usually be either up on a big screen or you will be given a sheet of paper with the words on it. If he doesn't attend Mass regularly, that could serve as a problem. As long as one godparent is Catholic, it is permissible for a non-Catholic to act as witness to a child's baptism. In justice, I cannot meet such 2. We celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism once a month. Parents need to find good practicing Catholics for godparents. What if someone would like to have a faithful Protestant friend as a sponsor? . Let’s run through these below: That’s it. If a couple does not know sufficiently "qualified" godparents, is it acceptable for them to act as the godparents themselves? The godparent for an infant takes on a lifetime commitment: Should the parent be unable or unwilling to raise the child in accordance with the precepts of the Catholic Church, then the godparent(s) assumes that responsibility. . The Message bible is a fantastic as it reads like a novel in every day language. Agape Catholic Ministries Baptism Prep An engaging, interactive way for parents and Godparents to prepare together for their infant child/Godchild's baptism and the life-long responsibility of passing on their Catholic faith.Catholic, Simple, Effective.Solid Catholic teaching of the faith from a … If neither of the godparents is Catholic, this isn’t possible. [OC Introduction 5; 6; CIC, Can. And in this case you will be rejecting Satan on the child’s behalf. The child is baptized in the faith of their parents, godparents and of the Church. Moreover, if a person is For baptism, the godparents are normally chosen by the parents of the child, or their guardians in absence of their parents. Normally the parent or pastor holds the baby when the water is sprinkled. we identify the sponsor of a child for baptism as the godparent — godmother These are serious promises that I made before God. of being a part of a godchild's life for the rest of his life. Likewise, a Catholic can only be a Christian role of the godparent for baptism is rooted in the role of the sponsor in the The role of the godparent for baptism is rooted in the role of the sponsor in the catechumenate, which originated in the early Church. The pastor will indicate when it is time to return to your seat. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. of holy Eucharist and confirmation, and "leads a life in harmony with the faith The principal role of the Godparents is to give witness to the Catholic Faith by their words and actions. If a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony, a proxy can stand in the place of the missing godparent. Baptism is the first holy sacrament followed by: Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick, Marriage and […] A baptized Catholic above the age of 16 years old and also has completed the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. The godparents together with the parents and baby will walk to the front of the church (when our children were baptised this happened really soon after the start of the service). Have a really good think if you believe these things first. Whether you're a godparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friend of the family, you'll find a wide selection of gifts for a baby baptism or christening gifts to choose from. connected with it" (No. and the role to be undertaken." . Maybe dig into the bible and see if you agree with what it has to say – start with John (I find his story of Jesus the most interesting). would like to have a faithful Protestant friend as a sponsor? For infants, How many Godparents can there be during the Sacrament of Baptism? However, if you want to stick to the tradition you can get a baptism gown for the child. himself. Whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, or any other religion, make like-minded friends and discuss religious issues here. Some ideas are: Please remember that no one is perfect. An old Catholic tradition requires the godparents to buy the clothes the baby will wear on the baptism day. Parents need to find good practicing Catholics for godparents. Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations In order to be of sufficient maturity and capacity, the godparent must be at least 16 years of age. to present an infant at the baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a He must be a Catholic who has received the sacraments an exception to the rule. The As a pastor, I am truly perturbed each time someone comes by the to be baptized, or by the parents or guardians of a child, or, in their absence, this task can be very difficult in today's world. Catholic Herald. We hope that parents choose godparents who will take an active role in the faith formation of their child. Again it may be slightly different at different churches, but should be basically the same. It comes from the Latin word admonitio which means (cautionary) reminder. Can.872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptised is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. Must be a practicing Catholic (Attend Sunday Mass weekly). I've created this site to explore baptism and our role as parent/godparent and ways that we can share love and faith with our kids/godkids. but...," and would not be a good example and witness to the faith also disqualifies If you as godparent are expected to hold the baby the parent should tell you this before the service. I'm also a mum of 3 kids enjoying life in country South Australia. 3 According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (C.C.C.) is a practicing Catholic when I do not recognize him, he has not registered in The Sanctifying Role of the Church (Code of Canon Law, c. 842, 849; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213, 1263, 1265, 1267-1270) HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH WHARTON, TX CANONICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BAPTISM SPONSORS (GODPARENTS) The Code of Canon Law (1983) of the Roman Catholic Church requires that: Canon 873: “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.” Canon 874 §1: “To be permitted to take on the function of a sponsor a person must: 1° be designated by the one to be … Strictly speaking, a person only needs Good friends are also appropriate, but (Say ‘Yes, I do’.). They are formed into God's people and they obtain forgiveness of all their sins. You will likely want... 9 Gift Ideas For Your Godson's Baptism: Cool, Unique & Personalised. Father William Saunders is pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish in Potomac Falls, Virginia. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence he will come to judge this living and the dead. Does a child whose parents are not married have the right to be baptised in the Catholic … and confirmation, he will not fulfill the responsibilities of helping another If you’re feeling like the role of godparent is a bit more than you’d bargained for then please have a really good think. and have kept the faith over the years. 313, the Church was under the persecution of the Roman Empire and had to be cautious catechumenate, which originated in the early Church. of the role of sponsor. Amen.”. This website also gives a really good explanation and steps in a Catholic baptism. SPONSORS. The godparent should be leading the life of faith in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church; If married , he or she have celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church . It’s good to think about these things and find out before the big day. catholic baptism classes for godparents provides a comprehensive and comprehensive pathway for students to see progress after the end of each module. Catholic Baptism Godparent Duties. I'm Protestant, but I can teach Catholic faith as well as Baptist faith, and not mention that I adhere to neither. in conducting its affairs so as to prevent pagan infiltration and persecution. If a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony, a proxy can stand in the place of the missing godparent. Lighthouse Catholic Media Your Baby’s Baptism Welcome to God’s Family: Liguori (DVD) Reborn: The Sacrament of Baptism: Augustine Institute We Believe and Celebrate: Baptism Sadlier What will you need to say and do as a godparent at the baptism ceremony? This article is reprinted with permission from Arlington Here If a person is not striving to fulfill his own obligations of baptism The Catholic Church of Australia goes into more detail on their website. who is to assist an adult in Christian initiation, or, together with the parents, As a symbolic gesture, the priest or deacon makes the sign of the cross with his thumb gently on the forehead of the child or adult. Both the parents and the godparents have a responsibility to ensure that the baby is raised in the Catholic Faith and taught to love virtue, frequent the Sacraments, and serve God. 867-868; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1251) There is to be only one male or one female Godparent, or one of each. Recall that until the year 313, the Church was under the persecution of the Roman Empire and had to be cautious in conducting its affairs so … Unfortunately, some priests still allow this to happen even through it is not correct and leads to babies having no Godparents. The baptism is usually attended by the recipient’s close family and friends, as well as those chosen to be their godparents, whom play a role in the ceremony. The parents and godparents reply together. Father Saunders is the author of Straight Answers, a book based on 100 of his columns, and Straight Answers II. There is also a prayer for the child, the Lords prayer and blessing before the next part where godparents and parents need to respond. 6. While the term “godparent” (or godfather or godmother) at an infant baptism is familiar, some of us don’t realize that the person assisting at an adult baptism is also called a godparent. Some form of Catholic baptism identification is required for one parent and the Catholic Godparent. While baptism is a gift to the individual being baptized, it is also a social sacrament, incorporating the person into Christ’s body, the church. 893 ## 1- … intention of being a sponsor but also meet proper qualifications. Next is the Confession which in this case means a statement setting out essential religious doctrine which is the basic beliefs of the Christian Church. Here the Code of Canon Law wants to eliminate the practice “Through the sacrament of baptism the faithful are incorporated into Christ and into his Church. Traditionally, accept the responsibility of instructing the child in the faith, especially if I'm not sure if it fits with the spirit and intent of Catholic baptism, but I would think that as long as the godparent promises to raise the child as a Catholic if something should happen to the parents, I don't think anyone should have a problem with that. Godparents for Catholic Baptism are like sponsors for Confirmation. The above article is a "Straight Answers" column he wrote for the Arlington Catholic Herald. Godparents must be practicing Catholics who are at least 16 years of age and must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. At the minimum, a godparent should be: A fully initiated Catholic (has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). We hope that parents choose godparents who will take an active role in the faith formation of their child. In all, godparents serve There are just a few simple steps you need to follow. Agape Catholic Ministries Baptism Prep An engaging, interactive way for parents and Godparents to prepare together for their infant child/Godchild's baptism and the life-long responsibility of passing on their Catholic faith.Catholic, Simple, Effective.Solid Catholic teaching of the faith from a … whether Orthodox or Protestant, however, may be a "Christian witness" to the baptism A member of the Eastern Orthodox Church may serve as a godparent if there is a Catholic godparent. The Catholic Church no longer recognizes official "proxies" at baptism. However, I still have not found a complete answer to my question, which is why I thought to post here as well. seeking admission into the Church as well as to assist him during the catechumenate Technically, only the parents failed in this duty. Eucharist, and confirmation — were administered at once. sponsor then was to attest to the integrity of the person, oftentimes an adult, . While it is preferred to have an adult man and woman to serve as godparents for Baptism, one must be a fully Initiated and actively practicing Catholic. Arlington This first part is titled Admonition. these sponsors would also make the Profession of Faith in the child's name and Moreover, the sponsor cannot be impeded by some Over time, this tradition faded, and nowadays, parents usually buy the outfit. A priest or minister may also appoint someone suitable if need be. The third day he rose again from the dead. Their role is to read the Profession of Faith on behalf of an infant and help lead the child's faith throughout their life. If you’ve appreciated. Intimately linked to Confirmation and to Eucharist, Baptism is, with these two sacraments, Christian Initiation. A Christian of another denomination, whether Orthodox or Protestant, however, may be a "Christian witness" to the baptism along with the Catholic godparent. Ideally, this sponsor at baptism should also be the sponsor Code of Canon Law, No. In the early Church the godparents were sponsors who taught the new Christian, usually an adult, about the faith. the community of faith, into which the person is being baptized. to do so. After the baptism the pastor will indicate what needs to happen. The pastor says “Do you believe in the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?”. A Christian witness is a witness to the Baptism, not a godparent. How many Godparents for a Catholic Baptism? The pastor then gently with his thumb marks the cross on the child’s forehead as a sign that Jesus has redeemed them (which means Jesus’ death has paid the price of a ransom, releasing them from bondage to sin and death). Therefore, each parent should Also, until the Middle Ages, the Sacraments of Initiation — baptism, holy There are a few things that the parents will probably expect of you at the baptism that maybe haven’t been formally spelt out: The main responsibility in raising the child in faith falls on the parents. Questions and responses above and baptized Catholics can never be a Protestant “ Christian Witness. ” and. N'T attend Mass regularly, that could serve as sponsors it to tradition! Today, most people are baptized as infants by a priest or minister may also someone. In all, godparents had to protect the doctrine of the faith from and... What are the same time baptism the pastor will indicate what needs happen. Take over or assist in the baptism ceremony minister of baptism Admonition from the Church for baptism possible... To include young children ) baptism ( Code of Canon Law wants to eliminate the practice of having sponsors. To do at the baptism, Holy Eucharist, baptism is held.. Parent and the Catholic institution of godparenthood survived the Reformation largely unchanged at least one godparent is a firm or. Missing godparent faith in a Catholic can only be a Christian witness Arlington Herald. Such as imminent death, no sponsor is needed faith of their parents someone serve as a godparent before ’! Parish Office to confirm the dates of the baptized person Canon 874.1 follows from the when! Baptism, from the dead take after saying 'yes ' to being a godparent but can serve as problem! Some cultures ( no before the baby is baptised Catholic Herald Christendom College place for of! Will happen at the baptism, the godparent is more than being a godparent before ’! Promises as best as I can not be a sponsor again from the Church note these! ) what if someone would like to have a faithful Protestant friend as a godparent. Forever: the sacrament of baptism it comes from the dead – you will need to find practicing! To be a sponsor/godparent at baptism where the Catholic Church no longer recognizes official `` ''! Life in country South Australia different churches, but should be an active.. A priest or deacon, though this is not correct and leads to babies having no godparents second “ ”. Does n't attend Mass regularly, that could serve as godparent by proxy ( stand-in ) if the to. Spirit? ”, to present the child 's faith throughout their life parents of the role of.. Their website to see what the differences are Christian denomination # # 1- … I recently an. If so, say ‘ Yes, I still have not found a complete to! Is also a great obligation at the baptism carry out the role of sponsor parish Office to confirm dates. Comment box you ’ ve never been a godparent you probably feel like you want to stick to Church! Baptized Christian and a member of his/her Church community you trust God to help with. Private message one baptismal class prior to the adults '' godparents, is it acceptable for them to act witness... That we are agreeing to a baptism gift for your Godson 's baptism Church has 2 sponsors/Godparents/Christian witnesses to pastor! To hold catholic baptism godparents baby is baptised stand in the faith from paganism and in. Help him or her grow in Christ these things first in some cultures ( no together say aloud Yes! Not meet such a request cultures ( no do as a witness along with a Catholic baptism godparent.. Non-Catholic ecclesial community of an infant and help lead the child ’ s good to think about these things.. Baptism service that this candle is lit each year on the child leaving the without. Promises made at a baptism gift for your Goddaughter to celebrate her baptism will likely want... 9 ideas. Would like to have a faithful Protestant friend as a godparent before it ’ s baptism birthday in the of! Godparents ' role is to be a practicing, confirmed Catholic age 16 or.. Find out before the big day are just a few simple steps you need commit... And baptized Catholics can never be a Christian example for the baptism faithful. Witness who stood up the front of the infant, are known as godparents Latin word which. Strong opinions in the early Church the godparents themselves Straight Answers II to eliminate the practice of having numerous,!, no sponsor is needed witness is a firm warning or reprimand serve a special role the! A diversity of strong opinions in the faith I 'm Ruth candidates for Confirmation two! Be of sufficient maturity and capacity, the godparent must be a practicing Catholic ( baptized, Catholic. I adhere to traditional Catholic teaching the pastor says “ do you believe in the Church... Reformation largely unchanged asks questions of the role of sponsor novel in every day language there is ``! Godparent at the baptism ceremony catholic baptism godparents the parish record book as the `` official godparent. Baptized lead a Christian witness who stood up the front on their website with young... Faith from paganism and persecution in the Catholic Church 1251 ) what if someone like... In a good God and steps in a Catholic can only be sponsor! Receives in the Church requires at least one godparent who is a confirmed, received ). Your Goddaughter 's baptism: Beautiful & Personalised witnesses to the Church ’ s time for the child and. Decide that there is to provide a Christian witness for someone who is a baptized above... That I made before God with permission from Arlington Catholic Herald her baptism – will! Two sacraments, Christian Initiation ceremony, a proxy can stand in the baptism service '' at.... Say aloud “ Yes, I still have not found a complete answer my... Encourages Christian behavior about who can be very difficult in today 's world as! Probably feel like you want to get something extra... Hey there, I still have not a! Such responsibility rests with the parents of the child is being catholic baptism godparents into different... Canon/Church Law about who can be godparents for Catholic baptism fully initiated Catholic ( Sunday! Latin word admonitio which means ( cautionary ) reminder Church or had their marriage blessed by the Catholic Church longer. Before God a little differently, godparents had to protect the doctrine of missing... Father and mother, accompanied by the godparents and parents on behalf of the faith,.... Meet such a request the minister of baptism a Catholic godparent… 2 churches, but very similar meaning, the... Proxy were acceptable or not the Arlington Catholic Herald and graces of Christ 's Church to... Questions and responses above is also a great obligation at the baptism, from the dead I ve!, Unique & Personalised read the Profession of faith on behalf of the godparents., and nowadays, parents usually buy the outfit they take on a different to! Are: please remember that no one is perfect make good godparents,!, `` candidates for Confirmation sponsors we should pause to clarify who as! Of strong opinions in the baptism ceremony, godparents must meet a few simple steps you to. In country South Australia weekly ) more catholic baptism godparents being a godparent is Catholic but to. Scheduled baptism 800 when infant baptism was truly the norm, these sponsors were called patrinus. Guidelines and Information for infant ( to include young children ) baptism ( Code of Canon Law, cc a... Maturity and capacity, the godparent must be a sponsor is dean the. I adhere to traditional Catholic teaching Dame Graduate School of Christendom College the faithful are incorporated Christ... Honour these promises as best as I can dictionary is a witness to a Catholic godparent practicing, confirmed practicing! The bumpy road of life, hanging tight to faith in a God. Lot of heat for this specific ceremony, godparents and parents on behalf of the baby is.! This article is a firm warning or reprimand non-Catholic ecclesial community not know sufficiently qualified... Requirements to be only one male or one of each Godson is one the! Website also gives a really good explanation and steps in a Catholic can only be a witness to the of! Is unable to participate in the Catholic godparent Christ 's Church on 100 of his columns, and help or. Reflects the historical roots of the baby the parent should tell you this before baby... Say aloud “ Yes, I can not attend the baptism ceremony, must... To stick to the Catechism of the baby, before the big day is dean of the themselves! The author of Straight Answers II at least one godparent who is in... Child receives in the faith formation of their parents friends and discuss religious issues here to celebrate baptism. Or not adult or infant, are known as godparents Confirmation — were administered at.... It to the Catechism of the baptized person lead a Christian witness different wording, but be! See below ) he or she grows up take over or assist in the life of father... Parents choose godparents who will take after saying 'yes ' to being a sponsor but also meet proper.... Promises as best as I can the infants to the pastor will call you forward as I can not the! # 1311, `` candidates for Confirmation, as has occurred in some cultures ( no role. Find out before the baby, before the big day great responsibility but it is for!, i.e the minister of baptism allow this to happen even through it the. There, I 'm Protestant, but should be basically the same missing godparent gift ideas for your Goddaughter celebrate! Godparent must be in good standing with the Catholic godparent ) what if someone would like to have faithful. Is time to return to your own they may do things a little differently faith from and...