Baptismal Information for Godparents

"Are you ready to help these parents in their duty as Christian mothers and fathers?"

"We are!"

With this simple question and answer, Godparents become a very special part of the family of a baby being baptized into the Catholic Church. In just two words, "We are," we Godparents make a promise to God, to the parents, to the child and to the Church. We state aloud that we will commit ourselves to live our lives as examples to this child, and that we will develop a relationship that will grow and develop with this child for many years to come. The bottom line is this: We will do our best to develop a relationship with this child so that we may try our best to be models and examples of the Faith, so that this child may not only come to understand it through our words, but also see it lived out through our lives.

Sometimes the Godparents think about the privilege of being chosen by the parents, and it is certainly a privilege. But it is very necessary for the Godparents to stop and think about the seriousness, as well as, the responsibility they undertake when they say, "We are."

For a moment, think about your own Godparents. Who are they? What type of relationship did they have with you? What relationship did they continue to have with you? It usually happens that our Godparents have a tremendous influence on us or they have no real effect on our lives.

For some, Godparents have been very important people. They have a strong relationship with them, and by seeing their lives they have discovered what it means to live out our faith in a very real way. For others, Godparents are only names written in a Baptismal register for the Church's records. They have had no contact with them and no real relationship has either been developed or maintained since the day of their Baptism.

Basically the Godparents represent the Church in a very special real way to the child for many years. And so being a Godparent is certainly an honor and privilege, but, at the same time, it is also a tremendous responsibility as well.

As the years come and go, your relationship will certainly change as your Godchild matures. Much may depend upon your nearness to the child and the circumstances that allow your relationship to grow and develop. Although there may be some things that will separate you and your Godchild, letters, phone calls, occasional visits, are just a few things that can help to continue your relationship and make it special.

But in any event always remember that this child is going to want to know who his/her Godparents are. And they will find out who you are and what you are like even if no real relationship ever really develops. So no matter how far you may be away from them always realize that you still hold the important job of being an example of our Faith. Your Godchild will indeed notice if you go to Church each week for the Sunday Eucharist. Depending on whether you do or not will show the child how important the Church and God really are for us. They may not remember what you do and what you do not do. Do not ever underestimate what your actions can say to the child. They always speak volumes!

When this child approaches the time of receiving his/her First Communion, those who have developed a real relationship with their Godparents, will find a much deeper meaning when receiving this Sacrament. Because this child has learned from his/her own experience that they are loved and cared for by their loving God and His family the Church.

Very simply when the Godparents say, "We are," they are professing their desire to try to be Godparents who will make a difference in the life of the child they love.

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