What Are the Roles of the Grandparents at a Catholic Baptism?
Of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, baptism is the earliest and most essential. Unlike some Protestant denominations, Catholicism acknowledges infant baptisms as being thoroughly valid, although the child is expected to affirm his faith through confirmation after studying the catechism as a teenager. While grandparents do not fulfill an official role in the baptismal ceremony, their influence as positive Catholic role models is critical in developing the child's faith.
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Grandparents as Godparents
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As many priests prefer for the godparents of a baptized child to be a close relative, grandparents who are practicing Catholics may be invited to this role. With permission from the priest, one non-Catholic Christian grandparent may also serve as a godparent. A child may have one or two godparents (but not both of the same gender) who vows to sponsor the child's spiritual growth in the event that the child's parents die or otherwise cannot fulfill this role.
Supporting the Parents of the Baptized Chiild
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Prior to the child's baptism, grandparents are likely accustomed to serving their own children through life's milestones, including their child's reception of sacraments. One of the best ways a grandparent can contribute to the baptismal ceremony is to assist in making it happen. A grandparent should be available to help the baptized child's parents communicate with the parish priest to make sure that all the proper scheduling and documentation goes smoothly. After all, young parents tend to be very busy!
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Grandparents of Adult Catechumens
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Catholics who are baptized as adults undergo a very different ceremony for initiation into the Catholic Church. Rather than godparents, adult converts (catechumens) are led into baptism by a sponsor who is a practicing Catholic. Grandparents make ideal sponsors because of their close relationship. Sponsoring grandparents are expected to regularly attend mass with the catechumen in the months leading up to adult baptism. Sponsors should be present during the Easter vigil when the catechumen is baptized.
What to Expect at the Ceremony
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Unlike Catholic weddings or the Rite of Catechumens, infant baptisms do not typically take place during mass. While group baptisms are common, these smaller gatherings can afford the opportunity for the baptism ceremony to be a more personal experience while abiding by the official rubric. Grandparents who are godparents must stand at the baptismal font and make affirmations of faith under the priest's guidance. Otherwise, grandparents may sit in the pews and watch the ceremony, and they are encouraged to take pictures or video of the ceremony to memorialize the event.
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