Helpful guide to choosing Godparents. The person you choose as a godparent will have a significant role in your child's life. Whether you have questions about gifts or want to explore the … Don't choose for the wrong reasons. Godparents are parents representing God or parents on God's behalf. While choosing a godparent, most couples think of someone who is close to the family and follows the same faith and values as themselves. Godparents should not be chosen just out of family expectations or pressures. The godparent must have completed the 16th year of age, unless an exception is granted for just cause. The Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church has a whole chapter on godparents—"sponsors" is the technical term—but before we go there, let's talk about the Catholic theology of baptism. Additionally, godparents or close family friends called padrinos may also be involved with the ceremony. The number of godparents a child may have depends on the rules of the concerned Church. In some cases, these are valid reasons. Finding the right godparent for your child is easy. The Godparent must bring godliness and holiness to the child. This is the second post of a five-part series: Preparing for the Sacrament (What the Sacrament Means) Choosing Godparents (Finding People to Support Your Child) + BOWL SET Giveaway from Clarey Clayworks Looking Your Best (Dressing the Part for Your Child’s Big Day) + $100 PHOTO CREDIT from Renee Blood Photography,… The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: 1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. One godparent is usually mandatory. It is not possible for an unbaptized person to act as godparent … 0 0. Choosing them is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Choosing godparents By Elaine J. Ramshaw August 16, 2007 Start with the “job description”: A godparent is to develop a special, lifelong relationship with the godchild, communicating faith and values to her or him in word, deed and play, reminding him of his baptism, rooting for … One norm, a prohibition upon parents sponsoring their children, is now a church rule, but it seems to have arisen from folk practices. 1 0. Think of it like this: if you want to become a teacher in California, you have to be an adult and have met some essential requirements, like graduating high school and having a clean record. Normally, parents choose their child’s godparents based on friendship, reciprocity, or even as a result of social pressures. You want to choose the best for your child, but at the same time you don’t want to offend anyone. This time round though we are very confused who to choose as Godparents. Prerequisites and restrictions. Quite often, godparents do not live in the same locale as their godchild. Recall that until the year 313, the Church was under the persecution of the Roman Empire and had to be cautious in conducting its affairs so … Godparents should really help the parents commemorate their godchild’s Baptism annually, much like a birthday celebration. Often, godparents are chosen from family members and close friends. But one thing is for sure it has to be a decision that you BOTH agree on!!! The importance of the role for the Godparent and your child will depend on the significance that you apply. Whether the child is a blood relative or the child of a close friend, the expectation is that every effort will be made to get to know your godchild well and help the parents by sharing your faith with the child in every way possible, from the day of the baptismal ceremony to all the days beyond. Seeing as you can select your child’s godparents from among family or friends, the pool of potential candidates can be pretty big, and it can be tough to only pick a couple of people to honor with the coveted title. Examples of “just cause” would be a person who will be turning 16 in a matter of days or weeks, or a young person who is known to demonstrate an extraordinary piety or level of maturity (Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Clergy Newsletter, Vol. Anonymous. While this makes it difficult to be a part of the child’s life, it is not impossible. I never knew there were so many rules to choosing godparents!?! Welcome to Baptism Week at Team Whitaker! Finding someone who genuinely cares for the child, someone who has a moral and spiritual compass that will enable him to be a role model for the child during her lifetime, is the primary goal. Sometimes it’s hard to know if that person will be in your life long-term or not. The action of the godparent(s) at a baptism, when they physically raise the baptized person up from the font after the sacrament has just been administered, has always symbolized the godparents’ spiritual care for the newly baptized one. It’s truly beautiful to use the Baptismal candle as a reminder of the joy of welcoming the little one into the Catholic family rather than allowing it to collect dust in … Unfortunately, it appears that such a couple as you describe is not eligible to be godparents at a Catholic baptism. There are no hard and fast rules nowadays but, in practice, there is a world of difference between just being a godparent and being a good godparent - both in the eyes of the child and its parents. Godparents derive from the Christian faith, and date back to the 2nd century when baptisms became common. Here we look at whether at how many a kid can have and what their rights are\b… A godparent serves God in developing a close-knit relationship with the child, encouraging through a Christian light whenever possible. They can be single and don't have to be related to any of you.Most churches will ask if they have been baptised but don't require proof. Careful deliberation should go into choosing godparents. A second, the prohibition on choice reversal, appears to … Choosing a godparent for your child is an important decision, because the person you choose will be responsible for providing guidance and life lessons to your child. Anonymous. There are no rules on that type of godparents, you could have 40 people be godparents in that sense. 2. How to Choose Godparents. There can be only one male and one female chosen per representative, so twins going through the ceremonies may have four godparents or sponsors present, but only have two each. Tips for choosing the godparents Choose someone who will stick around. Being a Godparent is a large responsibility and also a great honor. Yesterday, my colleague Michelle Arnold discussed in her blog post Once a Godparent, Always a Godparent the tendency many parents have of treating the godparent role as a social honor rather than a religious obligation. GODPARENTS often play a big part in a child’s life or, at the very least, turn up with gifts on their birthday. Choosing your brother's girlfriend of two weeks is not a good choice for a godmother because who knows if she'll still be around in years to come. Nina, an editor from London, has had a lot of experience of being a godparent, but when it came to her turn to choose for her own children, she came up with an elegant solution. The godparents may also present the scepter, one of the true symbols of the quinceanera. Be clear with expectations. 7). The Catholic Church allows up to two godparents, where one is a man and the other a woman. But when the time comes to choose the godparents of your children, you should ask yourselves if the people you are choosing can really provide what you really want for our children. I know it can be hard to choose godparents. Whether you are still thinking or have already asked some special friends, discover more about what it means to be or have godparents. Choosing your child's godparents (or mentors, guide-parents or guardians) can be a tricky decision. Once a godparent is named, that person remains a godparent … The practice of choosing godparents for a person to be baptized has existed since the earliest years of the Church. More time seems to be spent on choosing a saint’s name for the child and a venue for the post-baptismal festivities than on choosing a suitable godparent. Whether selecting godparents or sponsors, only two people may fill these roles. It is 3 years since our son was Baptised and I have closer friends within my church family all of whom would be wonderful, we also have several close friends who could be possibilities, and also the Godparents we chose for our son. 1 decade ago. Being a godparent is an important duty in the Catholic Church. sacred and the social in the compadrazgo can be seen in the rules for choosing godparents. Finally they must be willing to submit all the completed paperwork, prior to the ceremony. 3. Parents should not choose godparents because they feel obligated, or because they think that if they don't ask a certain person or couple that they will be offended. Make sure they're a positive influence. The god father of her girls is her brother. Since the role of the godparents is to be a presence, specifically a spiritual presence, in a child's life, then some considerations must be made. Guidelines for Choosing Godparents Church of Saint Joseph St. Joseph, MN Who do you choose as a Godparent? If you emphasize how special the role is to the selected Godparent and the child, you will help provide an added source of love and support for the duration of your child's life. Alternatively, an Eastern Orthodox Christian may be a godparent (along with the Catholic godparent). For those who choose, godparents and grandparents may be involved in a coronation, where they present the quinceanera girl with a tiara. A godparent is expected to be a spiritual guide for the child. If you're thinking about Godparents for your new arrival, read on. Choosing godparents is a tricky situation. 33, No. The role of the godparent for baptism is rooted in the role of the sponsor in the catechumenate, which originated in the early Church. Godparents must have been baptized in the Orthodox Church, must be in full sacramental communion, and must be a member in good standing of a local Orthodox parish.. A person may not serve as a godparent if his or her marriage has not been blessed by the Orthodox Church, or, if civilly divorced, he or she has not been granted an ecclesiastical divorce, or if … Choosing a friend or relative as godparent may enlarge the family, but it can also add to family drama and discord. 1 decade ago. While being a godparent is a great honor and a crucial part of Latino culture, the true and entire purpose of a godparent is to serve as a mentor in the Catholic faith to your son or daughter. A godparent should walk the walk, not just talk the talk. What are Godparents? Choosing the right godparents is important for your child’s future. 2 1. Apart from this situation, as long as one godparent is Catholic, it is permissible for a non-Catholic to act as witness to your child's baptism. Be hard to know if that person remains a godparent will have a significant role in life... Members and close friends St. Joseph, MN who do you choose as godparents child may depends. 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