Everyone baptized into the church receives a godparent. Godparents assist the baptized "to lead a Christian life in harmony with Baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it." That means we ask very little or very much, depending on how you look at it.

To be a godparent you must be 16, baptized, confirmed in the Catholic church, taking communion with us, leading a life in harmony with faith, and not a parent of the one to be baptized. Godparents may be chosen by the one to be baptized, by the parents or guardians, or even by the pastor or pastoral minister. A baptized non-Catholic may serve as a witness to the Baptism if a Catholic godparent also takes part. Only one godparent is needed, although two may serve. The baptismal godparent becomes the preferred sponsor for Confirmation.

Very often people will ask a family member to be a godparent. This has the advantage of binding families together. However, a godparent from the parish community may make a better choice. A parishioner can set a good example for the child from week to week and can represent the role of the entire parish community bringing Christ to each new member.

Some families have further expectations of godparents of young children. They may expect a gift at the child’s birthday or further assistance throughout life. Some godparents devote a lot of time with their godchildren others do not. The church does not specify these extended responsibilities; families may discuss them with their godparents.

Godparents for adults play an important role during Lent. They support the catechumen at the rite of election and the scrutinizes in addition to the rite of initiation. They usually are the sponsors who have accompanied the catechumens throughout their preparation. If the adult joining the church has already been baptized, his/her sponsor remains a "sponsor" since a godparent already exists.

During infant Baptism, we ask godparents if they will help the parents in their duty as Christian parents. We invite them to renew their baptismal vows together with the parents, and they may assist in lighting the child's candle. However, parents hold the child for the Baptism.

by Paul Turner

This bulletin insert originally appeared in MINISTRY & LITURGY, a pastoral planning resource used by the worship leaders in your parish as an aid for better liturgy, Copyright by Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112. (408) 286-8505. Paul Turner, pastor of St. John Regis Parish in Kansas City, Mo., holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. His e-mail is Paul-Tu@aol.com. Comments online at www.rpinet.com/wwwboard/forum8/.