Congratulations, you have been asked to be a godparent!
You have been chosen above others to stand as a godparent because someone has valued your practice of Catholic faith. This role bears the responsibility to participate in this child’s Christian life and education. The Roman Catholic Church values the role of godparents as an opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship that will last through this life and beyond.

The Code of Canon Law, the official law of the Church, states:To be admitted to the role of sponsor, a person must...have completed the sixteenth year, and must be a Catholic who has been baptized, confirmed, and has received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken  (Canons 872-874).

As a godparent you make a promise to God, to the parents, to the child and to the Church that you will  proclaim aloud a covenant to witness gospel attitudes and values in your life and in the relationship you will develop with this child.

A Godparent must meet the following criteria:

• Only one male or one female godparent or one of each sex is to be employed.
• The godparent(s) must be practicing Catholic(s) leading a life in harmony with the faith
• Must be at least 16 years of age having been fully initiated into the Church having been baptized, confirmed and received the Eucharist.
• A baptized person who belongs to some other non-Catholic ecclesial community may be asked to serve not as a godparent but as a Christian witness as long as a Catholic godparent is also present.
• Catholics who have abandoned the Catholic faith  cannot serve as Christian witnesses.
• A godparent must not be bound by any legitimately imposed canonical penalty.
• Godparents may not be the mother or father of the child.
• An eligibility/sponsor certificate is required from all godparents from his/her current parish.

Godparent eligibility/sponsor certificate must be in the parish office two weeks prior to the baptism.


Role of a Godparent
The role of godparent is much more than an honorary title. You have been chosen because you   demonstrate a Christian moral and virtuous lifestyle. The child you walk with will learn of the victory of the cross, a hunger for the Most Holy Eucharist, seek forgiveness in Reconciliation, grow in a love for Christ and his Church, and in many other ways God’s love gives us life. In other words, you represent the rest of the Church, the communion of saints to which the newly-baptized will belong, and among whom the newly-confirmed will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

The child you are sponsoring will know that he/she is not alone in the quest to know God and will strive o do the will of God in his/her life. You say you will surround this child with care, concern, support, faith, trust, and compassion as they mature.

Here are some ways you can nurture this spiritual relationship:

• Celebrate the anniversary of this holy day of Baptism or Confirmation each year with a visit, a call or sending a card.
• As this child grows, listen to and share in the struggles and triumphs of living a Christian life.
• Encourage a consistent life of faith by celebrating the sacraments with this child throughout the years.
• Participate with this child as he/she receives other sacraments.
• Be a mentor, a guide, a listener, a teacher, a friend; be challenging, encouraging and forgiving.
• If distance or circumstances keep you from personal contact with this child, you can always “be there” through the technology our society offers today!

With a life of prayer and an active participation in the life of the Church you can fulfill the role of godparent fruitfully. Living your life of faith will be the best resource in helping this child to grow in and live a life of faith! Congratulations and God bless you!

For more information, please contact the parish office at 412-661-0187 or [email protected].