October 5, 2025 – Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Who can be the Godparents to my child?”
One of the most challenging tasks for Catholic parents nowadays is to find good Godparents. Whether you yourself have been asked to be a Godparent or you are in search of someone who will lead your child on the path of faith, finding a person (or two) who is practicing their faith and lives in a state of grace has become increasingly challenging. So, where do we start?
We all know the honor that comes with such an ask. If you have been given such an honor, the parents see you as a faith model. But is that all it is, an honorary title? Traditionally, God-parenting is more than an honorary role, it is a duty with eternal consequences.
During the baptism ceremony, the celebrant will ask the Godparents, “are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty?” presumably, the Godparents will say “yes”. But what did the Godparents just sign up for? Simply, to make sure the child becomes the best Christian that he/she can be, that is, a saint.
But realistically, who can do this, “bring their child into heaven? Where is that in the Godparents’ job description”? Whether you’ve been chosen to be a Godparent or a sponsor for Confirmation, here’s what you need to know about this role.
First, the decision as to who should be a Godparent/sponsor should be based upon who would provide the best example of Catholic living for your child and not merely for reasons of maintaining family harmony or honoring a friend. A Godparent/sponsor is chosen for the well-being and faith development of the child. To be a Godparent/sponsor, an individual must meet all of the following:
- Be at least sixteen years old
- Not the parent of the child to be baptized (grandparents may be Godparents)
- Be a fully initiated Catholic (is baptized, confirmed, and received First Communion)
- Be a Catholic in good standing in the Church, meaning, does not publicly endorse beliefs contrary to church doctrine
- Be a practicing member of the Catholic faith (attends Mass regularly).
The Church also understands the challenging task of finding two Catholics who meet these criteria. Therefore, although ideally the child should have two Godparents, a godmother and a godfather, only one Godparent is required by church law.
