The godparent or godparents affirm that they are willing to help the parents in their duties as Christian mother and father (or with the convert alone in case of an adult baptism). The godparents respond "I do" to the questions of their belief (Creed).
The godparents stand with the parents at the font for Baptism, expressing their will that the child be baptized. Either the priest, a godparent or a parent may hold the child over the font. The godparent may also cloth the child with a white garment as a new creation, and hold a lit candle as a symbol of the light of Christ entering the world.
if anything should happen to your biological parents or guardian, your God parents will ensure your parents wishes that you will continue to be reared as Catholic.
In the early Church, outbreaks of persecution and violence against Christians were common. Many lost their lives, including mothers and fathers. In the event that a baptized child lost one or both parents, others would step up and take their place (a promise they gave at the child's baptism) thus making sure the child continued their formation in the Christian faith.
In North America and Europe, such persecutions are rare, but the need for others to step up as it were, is still a valid practice. For example, the parent's of the child may not follow through in their own promises to raise their child, Christian. Perhaps one or the other dies. Even in a scenario where both parents are alive and faithful, 'god-parents' as they are called, still serve as 'overseers' of the child's religious formation. They may send a card to the child on it's baptismal anniversary, give the child's parents well needed advice and guidance ect.
It is common in some places to refer to 'god-parents' as 'sponsors'.
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Catholic AnswerThe Godparent at a Catholic baptism is not required to pay anything, however his duties are substantial:"The Godparent is chosen for a very serious role in the child's upbringing. His responsibility will be light if the parents are both good practicing Catholics. But, even so, they may fall away from the faith, or even die. In both those cases and in all cases where the godparent feels that the child is being neglected in the spiritual realm, he must assert his rights and perform his duties as the spiritual parent of the child. This can be an unpleasant or even painful task. One should be aware that all this is implicit whenever one is asked to become a godparent."
from American Catholic Etiquette, by Kay Toy Fenner
The godparents is called to assist during Baptism. For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents' help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function. The whole ecclesial community bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism.
"The Godparent is chosen for a very serious role in the child's upbringing. His responsibility will be light if the parents are both good practicing Catholics. But, even so, they may fall away from the faith, or even die. In both those cases and in all cases where the godparent feels that the child is being neglected in the spiritual realm, he must assert his rights and perform his duties as the spiritual parent of the child. This can be an unpleasant or even painful task. One should be aware that all this is implicit whenever one is asked to become a godparent."
from American Catholic Etiquette, by Kay Toy Fenner
To assist the parents in their duties as Catholic mother and father. In practice, that means being as sign of the faith by what they say and do, how they act, in a sense a role model for the church.
To pray for their Godchild.
At a Believers Baptism there is no need of God parents
At an Infant Baptism ,also known as a christening, the Godparents ,mother and father, promise to support the child as it grows up and look after him/her if the parents die.
At a baptism, a child's godparents should receive an official document of their godparent title. Beyond that, giving gifts to godparents is not always necessary in every culture.
Christians believe that you receive forgiveness for your sins.
The Godparents make promises at a Baptism. They say they will look after the child and teach them the ways of God. If the parents of the child aren't Catholic, then the Godparents are the ones who bring the child up as a Catholic (if that's what the parents want them to become) and tell them all they need to know. The godparents are friends in faith who can be turned to in times of doubt, confusion or questioning. Their goal is to show the child being baptised the ways and truth about God.
Call the parish office and get the baptism schedule, and a priest or deacon will baptize. You are expected to raise up the child catholic and have him/her receive communion and attend religious ed classes. You may need to attend a brief session prior, along with godparents, who need to be catholic, baptized, and confirmed. Only one is required; if two godparents, one male and one female.
I don't think there are any hard and fast rules, but probably not. Although godparents are often thought of as purely symbolic, some believe that the godparents agree to help bring you up in the faith in which you were baptised.
There is not usually any legal documentation of Godparents. This is a private agreement between parents and Godparents. Sometimes Godparents are listed in a Power of Attorney or a will.
if one of your godparents had or are haveing a child then yes
When a child is baptized ,he is usually given a name in the church at the same time.Baptism is a Christian sacrament and not one specific to a particular denomination. Therefore if your child was baptised in a chalel, then he/she is baptised, period. There is absolutely no need for him/her to be baptised again in a church as he/she is baptised already.
It is enough that they be adult confirmed Catholics. It is advisable that they be old enough to care for a child in an emergency. ADDENDUM The Anglican Church and Lutheran Church, share a similar Theology of Godparents: the minimum guideline is sixteen, with the proposed Godparent being both Baptised and Confirmed in the church. In the Russian Orthodox Church, the canons state specifically that the proposed Godparent may not be a minor, a parent of the child, or a non-Orthodox Christian.
yep.
Future godparents should be "asked" to be godparents rather than be surprised with the news. The parents should give prayerful consideration before choosing possible godparents for their child, and the persons asked to be godparents should be given time to respond after prayerful consideration.
The godparents are there to be the child's spiritual parents. They pretty much serve as an extra set of parents, devoted especially to religious growth.
Officially, a child can only have a Catholic christening if at least one parent is a Catholic, as the priest needs to have a "well-founded hope" that the child will be brought up in the Catholic Faith. No, not really. Some religions do have rules but normally, the is no.
Assuming both the parents and the godparents agree, and the godparents have no domestic, or child-related convictions, It would be fine; there are no laws preventing this.