Saints LightGodparents: Who Can Be One, and What Do They Really Do?
A godparent is a practicing, confirmed Catholic chosen to help a baptized person live the faith for life. The role starts at the font and lasts long after it.
A godparent is not an honorary title for a favorite aunt or an old friend. The Church calls it a true ecclesial function, a role carried out in and for the Church (CCC 1255). For a baby, the godparent stands with the parents and presents the child for Baptism. For an adult, the godparent walks with the person through preparation and into the new life. In both cases the godparent then helps the baptized live as a Christian and keep the promises of Baptism (canon 872).
Who can be a godparent? Church law sets out the requirements (canons 872 to 874). In summary, a godparent must: be chosen by the parents (or by the adult being baptized) and be willing and able to take on the role; be at least sixteen, unless the bishop sets another age or the pastor makes an exception for a just cause; be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist; lead a life of faith that fits the role; not be under a canonical penalty; and not be the child's own mother or father.
There may be one godparent, or one godfather and one godmother, but not two of the same sex (canon 873). A baptized Christian of another church may stand next to a Catholic godparent as a Christian witness, though not as godparent (canon 874 §2). This is not a judgment on anyone's faith: the godparent promises to help pass on the Catholic faith in full, so it must be someone who professes it.
Many parishes ask a godparent for a letter from his or her own parish. Do not take it as an insult. It protects the child, and it can be a good moment for a godparent to take stock of his or her own faith.
What do godparents really do? On the day itself they join the parents in renouncing sin and professing the faith, trace the cross on the child's forehead, and often hold the lighted candle. But most of the work comes later. A good godparent prays for the godchild by name, remembers the baptismal anniversary, gives gifts that feed faith (a children's Bible, a rosary, a saint's story), comes to First Communion and Confirmation, and is someone the child can talk to about God when parents are not the easiest people to ask. If the parents fail or die, the godparent's duty grows. The Church also suggests that the godparent later serve as Confirmation sponsor (CCC 1311).
Parents, choose for faith, not family politics. Ask: who will help my child become a saint? A sibling who no longer practices can be a wonderful uncle without being the godfather. Godparents, say yes only if you mean it, and then treat it as a calling for life.
Key points
- A godparent has a real role in the Church: to help the baptized person live the Christian life for life.
- A godparent must be a confirmed Catholic, at least sixteen as a rule, who has received the Eucharist, lives the faith and is not the child's parent.
- There may be one godparent or one of each sex; a baptized non-Catholic may serve only as a Christian witness beside a Catholic godparent.
- Most of a godparent's work comes after the Baptism, through prayer, presence and example.
The Word of God
Calling to mind that faith which is in thee unfeigned, which also dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am certain that in thee also.
And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart: And thou shalt tell them to thy children, and thou shalt meditate upon them sitting in thy house, and walking on thy journey, sleeping and rising.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 1253
- CCC 1255
- CCC 1311
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
From the tradition
Q. Why are godfathers and godmothers given in Baptism? A. Godfathers and godmothers are given in Baptism in order that they may promise, in the name of the child, what the child itself would promise if it had the use of reason.
Q. What is the obligation of a godfather and a godmother? A. The obligation of a godfather and a godmother is to instruct the child in its religious duties, if the parents neglect to do so or die.
Live it this week
Godparents: put your godchild's baptismal date in your calendar as a yearly reminder, and choose one faith-filled gift to give this year. Parents: tell the godparents, in a sentence or two, what you hope they will be for your child.
Check yourself: three questions
1. Which person could NOT serve as a godparent under Church law?
- A confirmed Catholic aunt, aged thirty, who goes to Mass every Sunday
- A confirmed Catholic friend, aged seventeen, who practices the faith
- The baby's own father, even though he is a devout, confirmed Catholic
- A confirmed Catholic grandfather who has received the Eucharist
Show the answer
The baby's own father, even though he is a devout, confirmed Catholic. Canon 874 says a godparent may not be the father or mother of the one baptized. The parents already have their own promises to keep.
2. A family's closest friend is a devout Methodist. What role can she have at the Baptism?
- She can be the only godparent, since she is baptized
- She can stand as a Christian witness alongside a Catholic godparent
- She cannot attend the Baptism at all
- She can be godmother if she promises to become Catholic later
Show the answer
She can stand as a Christian witness alongside a Catholic godparent. A baptized non-Catholic may take part only together with a Catholic godparent, as a witness (canon 874 §2). It is not a judgment on her faith.
3. According to the lesson, when does most of a godparent's work happen?
- During the rite, by holding the baby and the candle
- Before the Baptism, by filling out the parish paperwork
- Only if the parents die
- After the Baptism, through prayer, presence and example over the years
Show the answer
After the Baptism, through prayer, presence and example over the years. The lesson stresses that the godparent helps the baptized live the Christian life for years afterward (canon 872, CCC 1255).
Words to know
- Godparent
- A practicing Catholic chosen to present a child for Baptism, or to accompany an adult, and to help the baptized live the faith.
- Christian witness
- A baptized Christian of another church who stands with a Catholic godparent at a Baptism but is not the godparent.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. Help parents choose godparents wisely, and help godparents see their role as a lifelong spiritual responsibility.
Opener. Ask: Apart from your parents, who is one person who helped your faith grow when you were young, or later in life? What did they actually do? Let several people share, and point out that this is what a godparent is meant to be.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think the Church requires a godparent to be a confirmed, practicing Catholic? [The godparent helps pass on the Catholic faith in full, so they need to live it (canon 874, CCC 1255).]
- How can parents handle the pressure to choose a relative who does not practice the faith? [Suggest honoring that person in another way and choosing for faith. Be gentle; this is often painful.]
- What is one thing a godparent can do every year that would make a real difference? [Collect ideas: the anniversary, a card, a prayer, a visit, taking the child to Mass.]
- Godparents in the room: what would help you keep this promise for twenty years? [Encourage concrete reminders, and contact with the parents.]
Activity. Have each godparent (or each parent couple, on behalf of their chosen godparents) fill in a simple card titled My Promise as Godparent with three lines: one way I will pray for this child, one thing I will do every year, and one thing I hope to share about my faith. If godparents are present, they can read their card to the parents. Collect cards from parents to give to absent godparents.
Closing prayer. Holy Spirit, you gave Timothy a grandmother and mother whose faith shaped his own. Bless these godparents and parents. Make them faithful, patient and joyful witnesses, and let the children in their care grow in faith, hope and love. Amen.
Timing. 0 to 5 minutes: welcome and opener. 5 to 20: teach who may serve and what godparents do. 20 to 35: discussion. 35 to 50: promise cards and sharing. 50 to 55: parish paperwork for godparents, such as sponsor letters. 55 to 60: closing prayer.
Related lessons
- How Do I Choose a Sponsor or Godparent? (Becoming Catholic, free)
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