1. What Is a Godparent?
A godparent is more than an honorary title or family custom.
A godparent is someone chosen to help keep a child close to Christ and to support them in living the Catholic faith throughout life.
Through prayer, encouragement, and Christian example, a godparent helps a child grow in faith as they mature.
Godparents are chosen not only for the day of Baptism, but for a lifelong spiritual role.
2. Who Can Be a Godparent?
A godparent should be someone able to live and witness to the Catholic faith sincerely and faithfully.
This means a godparent should:
- be at least 16 years old
- be a baptised and confirmed Catholic
- have received First Holy Communion
- practise the Catholic faith regularly
- attend Sunday Mass
- live in a way consistent with the faith of the Church
- be willing to support the child spiritually through prayer and example
A parent cannot serve as the child’s godparent.
A baptised Christian from another Christian community may serve as a Christian Witness alongside one Catholic godparent.
3. Your Role as a Godparent
At the Baptism, you will stand beside the parents and support them in bringing the child up in the Catholic faith.
This means helping the child to grow through:
- prayer
- Christian example
- encouragement in faith
- participation in the life of the Church
- support during important moments of Christian life
Your presence and witness may become deeply important in the child’s life over many years.
4. How to Be a Good Godparent
Some simple ways to live your role faithfully are:
✔ Pray regularly for your godchild.
✔ Be present at important moments of faith and family life.
✔ Encourage Sunday Mass and the sacraments.
✔ Speak naturally about faith and prayer.
✔ Support the parents with kindness and encouragement.
✔ Live your own Catholic faith sincerely and consistently.
Children often learn faith quietly through the example of the adults around them.
5. A Lifelong Responsibility
Being a godparent is not about perfection, but about faithful Christian witness.
The Church asks godparents to help a child remain close to Christ throughout life.
Our parish is grateful for your willingness to take on this important spiritual responsibility and hopes to support you in it.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 