Godparents / Sponsors

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states "...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" (#1255). The Church is saying that being a godparent is truly a ministry in the Church and not simply an honor.


The essential question to consider when choosing godparents is:  Who can best help us raise this child in faith?
 

Please use the following criteria when choosing a godparent for a baptism.

• Only one godparent is required, but you may name two – a godmother and a godfather; one male and one female. 
• The biological/adoptive parent of the person being baptized cannot also be the godparent.
• A godparent must be 16 years of age or older, a confirmed, practicing member of the Catholic Church. If the godparent is married, the marriage must have taken place in the Catholic Church unless the couple received a dispensation or has convalidated their marriage. 
• The Church allows for a Christian Witness, a baptized Christian (non-Catholic), to serve as a witness at the ceremony in addition to the named Catholic godparent.
• If you need a godparent, we will be happy to help find a godparent within our faith community for your child.
• You can name a proxy godparent if the official godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony. The name of the proxy is noted in the baptismal record.  
• The role of the godparent is to support the parents' mission in raising the child in the Catholic faith. You will want to look for prayerful disciples to best support you and your child.

If you are a Godparent, check out this video from Formed and this video from EWTN to learn more about your role! To view videos on Formed for free, make a parish account and select "St. Odilia" as your parish.

Please use the following criteria when choosing a sponsor for a confirmation:

• Only one sponsor is permitted.
• A sponsor must be 16 years of age or older, a confirmed, practicing member of the Catholic Church. If the sponsor is married, the marriage must have taken place in the Catholic Church unless the couple received a dispensation or has convalidated their marriage. 
• The biological/adoptive parent of the confirmation candidate cannot also be the sponsor. In her wisdom, the Church recognizes that it takes many good role models, beyond parents, to support someone in living out the Catholic faith. 
• If you need a sponsor, we will be happy to help find a sponsor within our faith community for your child or yourself.
• You can name a proxy sponsor if the official sponsor cannot attend the confirmation Mass. The name of the proxy is noted in the sacramental record.  
• The role of the sponsor is to support the person to be confirmed in living the Catholic faith. You will want to look for prayerful disciples to best support you or your child.

If you are a Godparent, check out this video from Formed and this video from EWTN to learn more about your role! To view videos on Formed for free, make a parish account and select "St. Odilia" as your parish.