A child's Baptism is often a very special day.
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments in the life of the Catholic Church. As such, it is the gateway into the Christian life. This sacrament can only be celebrated once in a person's life, making it a day to be remembered.
Godparents are a very important part of this sacrament. In the sacrament, parents accept a commission to bring up their child in faith, or to know God. The Godparents are there to fulfill two duties:
- To accept the responsibility to help the parents to raise the child in faith.
- As representative of the entire Church. Since every Christian cannot attend the baptism of every child, Godparents become the special emissaries of the whole church to that one, particular child.
Who To Choose?
Choosing godparents can be a tricky business. People's feelings can be hurt and there may be a sense of obligation to fulfill. For example, if you were asked to be a godchild to a niece or nephew, there may be an unspoken expectation there for the favor to be returned.
Godparents should not be chosen just out of family expectations or pressures. Since the role of the godparents is to be a presence, specifically a spiritual presence, in a child's life, then some considerations must be made.
- Is the person likely to remain in contact with you and/or your child, to the best of your knowledge?
- Is the person living a life you can respect?
- Will this person be a good example to your child?
- Does this person practice faith?
These are certainly questions that should be asked, and answered. However, there are other rules that must be followed as well. The Church itself has guidelines (called Canons) for godparents. These are not a judgement on other people, but rather a way to ensure that a child baptized into the Catholic church has a godparent who can relate to their faith and help to pass it on.
Godparents should:
- be at least 16 years old
- be fully initiated into Catholic Church (have received sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)
- not be the child's mother or father
- be in good standing with the Catholic Church; if married, then married in a Catholic ceremony or else have received a blessing of the marriage from the Church
- one godparent is acceptable; if two godparents, then one should be male and one female
- As long as there is one Catholic godparent, there can be a non-Catholic, baptized godparent, who will be known as a "Christian Witness"
These are the basic guidelines. Every parish differs a little, so be sure to check with the parish where the Baptism will be taking place to get the exact guidelines for a particular ceremony.
Perfect Gifts
Great gifts for the child to be baptized:
- Water, Come Down! The Day You Were Baptized, by Walter Wangerin, Jr. A beautiful book written in rhyme about Baptism. This makes a great read for any age.
- A cross or rosary
- A baby Bible
- A book about saints or Bible stories. Even if the child can not read yet, they will some day! Write a special inscription in the book for your godchild.
Gifts for Godparents:
- The Godparent Book, by Elaine Ramshaw. A wonderful book filled with ways for godparents to have a special relationship with their godchildren, from birth to adulthood.
- A special picture frame with a picture of the godchild
- A Catholic prayer book
Godparents have a special role in both the sacrament of Baptism and in the life of their godchild. Care and consideration should be given to the role of godparents by both the parents of the child to be baptized and to the ones asked to fulfill this special role in a child's life.
