How to Be a Good Godparent
Being a godparent is a task that should not be entered into lightly. Make sure that you are able to fulfill all the conventional obligations of a godparent before you agree to this rewarding responsibility.
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Instructions
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Attend the baptism of the godchild. This service will solidify the child's relationship with the church in question, as well as your relationship as a godparent.
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Develop and nurture a caring relationship with your godchild. Send birthday cards every year, write letters, and keep in touch via phone, e-mail or face-to-face meetings.
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Take the time to discuss matters of religion or spirituality with your godchild once he or she is old enough. It is incumbent upon the godparent to help foster a spiritual relationship with the godchild.
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Serve as a sponsor for the child's confirmation, if applicable.
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Encourage the godchild to follow the faith of the chosen religion, and to attend mass regularly, if applicable.
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Tips & Warnings
Godparents are conventionally obligated to act as legal custodians to their godchildren if anything happens to the parents. Many parents, though, do name a legal guardian in addition to the godparents. Make sure that your guardianship obligations are discussed in detail before you agree to accept the role.
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View all 14 Comments-
allyphant92
May 30, 2009
yeah...uh, not all of us godparents are catholic -
kevcow18
Apr 14, 2007
I'm a new parent, who has just asked someone to be my son's godparents. Most of my "peer" parents have not selected godparents (that I know of) for their children, and I must admit that I barely even know my own godparents, unfortunately. So first, I see having godparents for your child as optional. I don't see it as a church office with certain requirements, although the name itself obviously connotates spirtitual guidance. The qualities that I looked for when choosing my son's godparents were a couple that my wife and I are very close friends with (we see each other often, go to movies together, to to the same church, and we even pray for each other). I wanted to choose people that have the same values as us - keeping in mind that this couple would be raising our son if something were to happen to us - and of course we explained this before allowing them to say "yes" so they knew what they were getting into! But I did want a couple that would provide spiritual guiance to my son and mentorship in other non-spiritual areas even if nothing happens to my wife and I. I want them to be like an aunt & uncle that he is very close to, and when he's old enough to understand, I plan to explain that they would be his new parents if mommy & daddy weren't around anymore. Hope this helps.
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kevcow18
Apr 14, 2007
I'm a new parent, who has just asked someone to be my son's godparents. Most of my "peer" parents have not selected godparents (that I know of) for their children, and I must admit that I barely even know my own godparents, unfortunately. So first, I see having godparents for your child as optional. I don't see it as a church office with certain requirements, although the name itself obviously connotates spirtitual guidance. The qualities that I looked for when choosing my son's godparents were a couple that my wife and I are very close friends with (we see each other often, go to movies together, to to the same church, and we even pray for each other). I wanted to choose people that have the same values as us - keeping in mind that this couple would be raising our son if something were to happen to us - and of course we explained this before allowing them to say "yes" so they knew what they were getting into! But I did want a couple that would provide spiritual guiance to my son and mentorship in other non-spiritual areas even if nothing happens to my wife and I. I want them to be like an aunt & uncle that he is very close to, and when he's old enough to understand, I plan to explain that they would be his new parents if mommy & daddy weren't around anymore. Hope this helps.
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Nov 22, 2005
When you have a conflict with a friend who is your Godchild's parent, make sure to tell your friend that you are going to keep the relationship with your Godchild a solid one, despite what happens to the friendship, providing the friend doesn't object.
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Nov 22, 2005
The role of Godparent is a true office or function in the Church. Godparents usually have to be at least 16 years old, must have received Confirmation, and must be in Communion with the Church into which the child or adult is to be baptized. When an adult is to be baptized, it is appropriate that the godparents be chosen from among those who have assisted in teaching the faith. Parents should not serve as godparents. Together with the parents and pastor, godparents are to see that the child is given a Christian name: the patron saint provides a model of charity and the assurance of his prayer. It is appropriate that at least one of the baptismal godparents later serve as a sponsor for Confirmation. The godfather and godmother must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult - on the road of Christian life. (CIC 872-4; CCC 1255, 1311, 2165.) The godparent is considered to be true spiritual family, and thus the person to be baptized may not be permitted to marry his godparents' children.
