On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring him (her) up in the practice of the faith. In addition to preaching and teaching, the early inquirer was exposed to a community of Christians and ideally formed into a follower of Christ. God often provides mentors or godparents even when a child does not have one, but being purposeful in choosing noble and trustworthy godparents is a great gift that can be given to a child. But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Are your words of encouragement, faith in God, and of light? 11). The candle that is lit during every baptism is accompanied by the words: “Parents and godparents, this light has been entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.”. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must: 1/ be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function; 2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause; 3/ be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on; 4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; 5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized. A Catholic godparent can establish a telephone relationship with the child, calling on birthdays, anniversaries of baptism … While the term “godparent” (or godfather or godmother) at an infant baptism is familiar, some of us don’t realize that the person assisting at an adult baptism is also called a godparent. The child is a Godchild. During the baptismal ceremony, the godparent answers the question as to whether or not they understand it is their duty to assist in raising the child. After Constantine ended all religious persecution, the numbers of people seeking to become Christians greatly increased and the style of instruction leading to conversion changed over the centuries. While the severity of the persecution varied depending on the emperor, seeking out and joining a Christian community was risky. They are asked to serve as a visible role model of Catholic faith and moral teaching. Whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, or any other religion, make like-minded friends and discuss religious issues here. There can be up to two godparents, a male and a female, for a single child. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Have they handled trials and stormy seasons in a godly manner? The godparent name is entered into the parish record book as the “official” godparent or sponsor for baptism. Yet the Holy Spirit is summoning, calling to them, and we have a rare opportunity to be a light along their way. An adult parent made a confession of faith for the child, was the child’s sponsor and provided assurance that the child would be brought up as a Christian. Similarly, Catholic Christians have provided assistance to others who, uncertain in their faith walk, have sought out the certitude of Catholicism. Lastly, would you trust your child to learn and grow from their influence? The Second Vatican Council would resurrect the formal catechumenate of the early Church with the RCIA process. Baptism is the first of the seven Roman Catholic sacraments. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.”. Anyone seeking to join the Catholic Church — catechumen, candidate, even a baptized Catholic child attending a confirmation or religious education class ­­– has a sponsor, someone who helps guide them on their faith journey. Choosing a godparent is not an easy task, but it is one of consequence. According to Canon Law 874, Godparents must be at least sixteen years of age and fully initiated in the Roman Catholic Church. Always, the intent of the classroom and the sponsor is not only to teach the catechumen the tenets of the Faith, but expose them to the Christian life and bring them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. The role of the chosen godparents is twofold. The child is not able to talk, understand or respond during baptism. The choosing of godparents and the role to become a godparent is no light matter, it is a great honor that should be taken seriously. Being a sponsor is a special way to demonstrate that faithfulness, a way to evangelize to the person who has come forward seeking Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. When the time for an infant baptism arrives, it is also the time for the parents to select the godparents. As a godparent, it is also a responsibility to be present as a mentor and person who desires to be present in a child’s life. It is widely practiced and honored in many Protestant branches of the church. As a godparent, you serve a different but important role in helping to teach the child the way in which they should go. A male Godparent is a Godfather and a female Godparent is a Godmother. By whatever name, being a sponsor assumes a special responsibility in the Catholic faith and thus selection is carefully contemplated. “Can. 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