Choosing a Godparent

The day of Baptism is a special day. Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and the gateway into the Christian life.

This sacrament is celebrated only once in a person’s life, making it a day to be remembered.

How to choose:

Prayerfully consider a few things:

1) Does the person truly exemplify the faith, by living according to the teachings of the Catholic Church?

2) Does the person live a life in harmony with the Church?

3) Does the person regularly practice their faith by participation in the sacramental life of the Church?

4) Godparents should not be chosen because of family expectations or pressure. The role of the godparent(s) is to be a presence, specifically a spiritual presence, in a child’s life.

The Role of a Godparent in the Child’s Spiritual Life

Godparents are a special part of the sacrament, as they support and bolster the mission of the parents to bring up their child in the faith and to know God.

The Godparents have two primary responsibilities:

1) To accept the responsibility to help the parents to raise the child in faith.

2) To represent the entire Church.

Expectations of a Godparent:

1) To be part of the child’s lifelong journey of faith.

2) To be a model of faith through the lived example of life in harmony with the Catholic Church.

3) To be a good example to the child.

4) To practice the Catholic faith regularly.