The Role of Godparents in Baptism & Invitations for Baptism

Dec. 27, 2007 - PRLog -- The role of the godparent for baptism is rooted in the role of the sponsor in the catechumenate, which originated in the early Church. In the early days, the role of the sponsor was to attest to the integrity of the person, oftentimes an adult, seeking admission into the Church as well as to assist him during the catechumenate in preparing for these sacraments and in living a Christian life.

For infants, these sponsors would also make the Profession of Faith in the child's name and accept the responsibility of instructing the child in the faith, especially if the parents failed in this duty. Around 800 a.d. when infant baptism was truly the norm, these sponsors were called "patrinus," or "godfather." Traditionally, we identify the sponsor of a child for baptism as the godparent, godmother or godfather, but the technical term remains "sponsor." Most parents send custom baptismal invitation cards from http://www.invitationsbyu.com/baptism-invitations.htm to family and friends for the ceremony.

According to the Code of Canon Law, "Insofar as possible, one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who is to assist an adult in Christian initiation, or, together with the parents, to present an infant at the baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it". This statement clearly reflects the historical roots of the role of sponsor.

To be a sponsor, a person must be chosen by the person to be baptized, or by the parents or guardians of a child, or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister of the sacrament. The sponsor must not only have the intention of being a sponsor but also meet proper qualifications. The sponsor must have completed his sixteenth year unless the Bishop has established another age for sponsorship, or the pastor or minister judges that a just cause warrants an exception to the rule. He must be a Catholic who has received the sacraments of holy Eucharist and confirmation, and "leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken."

Although a person needs only one sponsor for baptism, male or female, he may have two sponsors, one male and one female. Who qualifies as a Catholic godparent? A Catholic who does not practice the faith by regularly attending Mass or who is in an invalid marriage disqualifies himself from being a godparent. Moreover, if a person is Catholic but antagonistic to the faith, i.e. has the attitude "I am a Catholic but...," and would not be a good example and witness to the faith also disqualifies himself. If a person is not striving to fulfill his own obligations of baptism, he will not fulfill the responsibilities of helping another to do so. Find more about creating your invitations for religious ceremonies at http://www.invitationsbyu.com/religious-invitations.htm

Parents need to find good practicing Catholics for godparents. The best place is to look for relatives, even grandparents, who have a blood relationship with the godchild and have kept the faith over the years. Good friends are also appropriate, but sometimes friendships wane, leaving the godchild without an active godparent. Godparents should be faithful individuals who are ready to accept the responsibility of being a part of a godchild's life for the rest of his life.

A Christian of another denomination, whether Orthodox or Protestant, may be a "Christian witness" to the baptism along with the Catholic godparent. The reason for this distinction and restriction is that the godparent not only is taking responsibility for the religious education and spiritual formation of the baptized person, but also is representing the Church, the community of faith, into which the person is being baptized. A Christian who is not Catholic, although perhaps a very holy, Christian, cannot fully attest to the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Likewise, a Catholic can only be a Christian witness for someone who is baptized into another Christian denomination.

Godparents serve a special role in the life of the baptized person. Therefore, each parent should choose a godparent not just because of a blood relationship or friendship. A godparent should be a trustworthy witness of the faith who will help the godchild attain salvation.

You can view lots of printable baptism invitations wordings at http://www.invitationsbyu.com/wording-baptism-invitations... http://www.cardsshoppe.com/Religious_Invitations_Announce... and http://www.express-invitations.com/religious_invitations_announcements_cards/Religious-Invitations-Announcements-Cards.php

# # #

Announcements-Shoppe.com http://www.announcements-shoppe.com CardsShoppe http://www.cardsshoppe.com and Express-Invitations http://www.express-invitations.com were started in 2001 to provide unique and exclusive Baptism Invitations Cards. Customers can add their own wordings, select the text size, fonts and type style and then instantly preview their cards before they buy. They also offer free shipping, 10 free cards and same day printing shipping. Proofs are sent within 1 hour.

Website: www.cardspersonalized.com