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If you've decided to baptize your child in the Catholic Church, you’ll usually be asked to choose a godfather and/or a godmother (also called a sponsor) for your little cherub. Without having to embark on a recruitment drive worthy of a large corporation, here are a few tips to help you choose the ideal godfather and godmother of your baby.
Job title: Godfather or Godmother (technically, Sponsor)
Field of activity: Catholic Church
Length of contract: Unlimited
Type of contract: Full time
Minimum age required: Over 16 years
Spiritual experiences required by the Church: Must have received the three sacraments of Christian initiation -- that is, Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
Required qualities:
- To be loving and kind towards their godchild.
- Show that they are attentive.
- Be capable of creating a strong bond with their godchild.
- Master the art of being an attentive godfather or godmother : wish happy birthday to their godchild, remember them at Easter and Christmas, think of them on their saint’s day, send a little good luck message the night before exams …
- Be sufficiently mature and strong in their faith to take on the missions listed below.
Missions:
During the baptism:
- Renounce sin and proclaim their Catholic faith.
- The godmother: Clothe their godchild in a white garment, symbol of the Resurrection of Christ. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (St. Paul in Galatians 3:27)
- The godfather: Receive the lit baptism candle, symbol of the light of Jesus Christ. With the parents, the godfather and the godmother will keep the light going. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (St. Paul in Ephesians 5 :8)
- At the end of the celebration, sign the register as a godfather or godmother, proof of their commitment.
Throughout the godchild’s life:
- Help their godchild to grow in faith.
- Help them to fight against sin.
- Offer support in their Christian life, in particular during the celebration of sacraments (Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage).
- Set an example to their godchild in everyday life, in trying to live in accordance with the Gospels.
We don’t become Christians all alone
As Father François Potez, parish priest of Notre-Dame-du-Travail in Paris, loves to reiterate during the preparations for Baptism, being a Christian means being part of the Church. It means being part of the Body of Christ with all other Christians. The parents and godparents are the first to welcome the newly baptized child into the Christian community, and to accompany them along their spiritual path. So be clear-sighted, honest, and dependent on the Holy Spirit when you choose the people who will guide your child on their path to faith, hope and charity.
Specific cases :
A non-baptized person cannot act as a sponsor or a witness at baptism. The purpose of having a sponsor or witness is to have a Christian welcome the child to the font and thus into the Church. A baptized non-Catholic can stand as a witness but not as a sponsor, and only when partnered with a Catholic who stands as the sponsor.
