Baptism and do I the Grandfather need to be on the Alter

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Tommy_TT_1

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My grandson will be Baptized in the very near future one godparent is Catholic and the other is not.
This is not a problem as I am told
This is what I feel I would like clarified I Pray and I pray through out the day day in and day out I do not go to church on any and I mean any regular basis (this is my own way of practicing) I remember a Priest saying one Christmas Mass how a lot of folks go once a year and I too feel the same I don’t say that is correct but it was a true statement. I do feel I do not Like Hippocrates and I don’t want to be one by acting as if I am some big Sunday Church goers when I am not
My Question is seeing how I do not go too Church including Christmas from time to time but I do go as I feel and only then.
Now for this Baptism I was told that beside the god parents that the Grand Parents are to go up on the alter,
I feel as though I don’t belong there (hypocritical) I feel that I want to go to the mass ,But I feel a bit as a Hippocrates standing up on the alter as if I was a Church goers or (I have Deacon Thoughts or as if I am up there acting as if I am one )
Now do Grandparents Go up Upon them self’s ??? or is it asked By the Church that they Do so
My son , as I remember it ,was myself his Mom and the 2 god parents Period
so I guess what I would like to know …is it the Church or is it just a Nice venture
Is it something that REAL Church goers do and just for the final the other Grand parents are Church goers and I feel that’s why I’m told I need to go
any and ALL you want to state to me is welcome I’ve got a big Stomach
Feeling Hypocritical
Thanks
Tom
 
I am not really understanding your post but will do my best. A godparent must be an adult Catholic, in good standing and living in harmony with Catholic teaching, fully initiated, not the parent of the candidate, canonically permitted to serve, and willing to undertake the obligation. Only one godparent is required. A baptized non-Catholic may be a Christian witness (for instance, if the Catholic godparent is married to a Lutheran they could both witness and participate in the rite).

If the reason you don’t attend Mass on Sunday is that your age or infirmity makes it impossible, that is no problem (I assume you are also to infirm to go much of anyplace else during the week). If the reason you do not attend Mass is because you disagree with or disobey the commandment of God and of his Church, then obviously you are not a Catholic in good standing, so you cannot serve as a godparent.

Your major role as a godparent is assisting the parents in raising the child as Catholic, including setting a good example of living the Catholic life. I am glad to hear you say you spend most of your time praying, as we advance in age and infirmity that is increasingly our role in life, and the best support we can offer our children and grandchildren. If you have not been going to Mass, and are feeling uncomfortable about it, why not simply use this as a wake-up call to go to confession and again take on the obligations and joys of Catholic living.

As far as the rite itself, no one is on the altar, the rite takes place at the baptismal font. The goparent is called upon with the parents to make certain responses, including part of the profession of faith, sometimes helps light the candle or put on the white garment. The grandparents do not have a formal role in the rite of baptism, but often the relatives present are invited to come forward and watch and lend their support. If you are infirm this is not of course required. If the grandparents are asked to do something more that may be a cultural custom, but that is not part of the rite.
 
Tommy (the OP) isn’t a godparent, rather he is the grandfather of the child, and all the grandparents of the child are being invited to stand up with the child and his godparents at his baptism. He’s feeling, because he’s not a churchgoer, that it possibly isn’t appropriate for him to do so.

I’ve never known it before that grandparents also stood up with the child, and it isn’t absolutely required, but there certainly isn’t anything wrong with the practice and I think it’s a lovely thing to do.

Tommy, you may not be a churchgoer but you certainly appear to be a committed Christian, and I trust you see the value of baptism for your precious grandson, as commanded by Our Lord in scripture and practiced not only upon Christ himself as an example to us, but also by the Apostles.

By standing up with your grandson you’re not making the same commitment that his parents and godparents do, who speak on his behalf and commit themselves to his religious upbringing. Neither are you expressing anything about your own religious practice or ‘worthiness’. The truth in any case is that no-one really is worthy in themselves to approach the altar of God. But he extends a gracious invitation to all of us, however sinful or saintly, to do so.

You would, by standing up at the baptism, be expressing your love for your grandson and your support of this important step in his life as a follower of Christ. I think it’s a lovely idea and that you certainly shouldn’t feel hypocritical in any way.
 
Tommy_TT_1 said:
My grandson will be Baptized in the very near future one godparent is Catholic and the other is not.
This is not a problem as I am told
This is what I feel I would like clarified I Pray and I pray through out the day day in and day out I do not go to church on any and I mean any regular basis (this is my own way of practicing) I remember a Priest saying one Christmas Mass how a lot of folks go once a year and I too feel the same I don’t say that is correct but it was a true statement. I do feel I do not Like Hippocrates and I don’t want to be one by acting as if I am some big Sunday Church goers when I am not
My Question is seeing how I do not go too Church including Christmas from time to time but I do go as I feel and only then.
Now for this Baptism I was told that beside the god parents that the Grand Parents are to go up on the alter,
I feel as though I don’t belong there (hypocritical) I feel that I want to go to the mass ,But I feel a bit as a Hippocrates standing up on the alter as if I was a Church goers or (I have Deacon Thoughts or as if I am up there acting as if I am one )
Now do Grandparents Go up Upon them self’s ??? or is it asked By the Church that they Do so
My son , as I remember it ,was myself his Mom and the 2 god parents Period
so I guess what I would like to know …is it the Church or is it just a Nice venture
Is it something that REAL Church goers do and just for the final the other Grand parents are Church goers and I feel that’s why I’m told I need to go
any and ALL you want to state to me is welcome I’ve got a big Stomach
Feeling Hypocritical
Thanks
Tom
Click to expand...
Grandparents are not required to do or stand anywhere specific. you can simply remain in your seat and witness the Baptism of your grandchild. I must correct one incorrect statement. NO ONE can be a GODPARENT unless they are a Confirmed, practicing, Catholic in good standing with the Church. A Non-Catholic cannot be a Godparent at a Catholic Baptism.
 
Brother Rich is right on all counts. Unfortunately this iisue of having a Christian witness instead of having a second sponsor is very confusing. We have the libs who say that a CW is a godparent and therefore a Lutheran CAN be a godparent at a Catholic baptism which is utterly untrue. Similarly, many cons choose to say that only Catholics(defined above by Bro. Rich) may be godparents which is true but they fail to mention the Christian witness option which is valid.

The following are one’s options for godparents:

a) two confirmed Catholics in good standing over 16 one male and one female

b) a single godparent either male or female as stated above

c) a single sponsor(godparent) who is a confirmed Catholic as above of either sex; a Christian witness of another community may attend and stand as a witness. This person must not be a fallen away Catholic, can be the same sex as the sponsor and may repsond where the sponsor replies in the ceremony. This person’s name IS NOT placed in the baptismal register. The CW is a special person who hopefully will assist the child in coming to Jesus but is neither a godparent/sponsor. They can not be the sponsor at confirmation for obvious reasons. There is nothing wrong with having a CW at a baptism especially if the family is a mixed marraige. However this role is a limited one which too many libs ignore but it is legitimate which too many cons choose to ignore or are unaware of this effort at ecumenism.
 
Just a bit more my son and wife (parents ) are angry with me due to me stating that I feel my wife and I should sit and observe the Baptisum
They say that if the other grand parents (mother and step dad ) stand along with the Godparents to be that My self and my wife should also
This has caused a whole Up roar Because I stated I fell I would be better placed sitting through the mass and the Baptism
Sorry I am not good and putting words in writing so I’m sure this post is somewhat confusing
God Bless you all and please feel free to Comment
 
Tommy_TT_1 said:
Just a bit more my son and wife (parents ) are angry with me due to me stating that I feel my wife and I should sit and observe the Baptisum
They say that if the other grand parents (mother and step dad ) stand along with the Godparents to be that My self and my wife should also
This has caused a whole Up roar Because I stated I fell I would be better placed sitting through the mass and the Baptism
Sorry I am not good and putting words in writing so I’m sure this post is somewhat confusing
God Bless you all and please feel free to Comment
Click to expand...
So in light of what you’ve just learned - specifically that you’re not taking on the responsibilities of a godparent, do you feel better with the idea of standing up? If so, it sounds like your son and daughter-in-law would be OK if you told them you had a change of heart.
 
No Lily their saying that If I go to Church and do not stand up with her parents and just sit , then it would be just best, I don’t go to the Mass or Baptismal at all
and I am on here so that I can just show them and learn myself from yours and everyone elses comments
 
Tommy_TT_1 said:
No Lily their saying that If I go to Church and do not stand up with her parents and just sit , then it would be just best, I don’t go to the Mass or Baptismal at all
and I am on here so that I can just show them and learn myself from yours and everyone elses comments
Click to expand...
So you still just want to sit in the congregation? Is that correct? Even after being told that it’s fine for you to stand with the child and that to do so isn’t proclaiming anything about your own churchgoing habits?
 
There could be confusion about processions to the altar, depending on where the baptistry is.

The Rite of Baptism for Children has lots of processions, at least when the baptism is not part of Mass.

At n. 35 the priest or deacon and ministers “goes to the entrance of the church or to that part of the church where the parents and godparents are waiting with those who are to be baptized.” He asks them questions there.

1st procession: “42. The celebrant invites the parents, godparents, and the others to take part in the liturgy of the word. If circumstances permit, there is a procession to the place where this will be celebrated, during which a song is sung …”.
This would take place near the altar.

2nd procession to baptistry “52. If the baptistry is located outside the church or is not within view of the congregation, all go there is procession.
If the baptistry is located within view of the congregation, the celebrant, parents, and godparents go there with the children, while the others remain in their places.
If, however, the baptistry cannot accomodate the congregation, the baptism may be celebrated in a suitable place within the church, and the parents and godparents bring the child forward at the proper moment.”
Probably it will be in view of everyone, so the instruction “the others remain in their places” of Rite of Baptism for Children, n. 52 is what you quote to show you are correct in remaining in your place as grandparent.

3rd procession: after the baptism to the altar, n. 67: “CONCLUSION OF THE RITE
67. Next there is a procession to the altar, unless the baptism was performed in the sanctuary. The lighted candles are carried for the children.”

4th procession (optional) after the final blessing: “71. Where there is the practice of bringing the baptized child to the altar of the blessed Virgin, this custom is observed if appropriate.”

It is true that the Rite of Baptism for Children does not mention grandparents. It does not give them a specific role, like the parents and godparents have. But it does have:

“32. If possible, baptism should take place on Sunday, the day on which the Church celebrates the paschal mystery. It should be conferred in a communal celebration for all the recently born children, and in the presence of the faithful, or at least of relatives, friends, and neightbors, who are all to take an active part in the rite.”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 376).
 
Tommy_TT_1 said:
Just a bit more my son and wife (parents ) are angry with me due to me stating that I feel my wife and I should sit and observe the Baptisum
They say that if the other grand parents (mother and step dad ) stand along with the Godparents to be that My self and my wife should also
This has caused a whole Up roar Because I stated I fell I would be better placed sitting through the mass and the Baptism
Sorry I am not good and putting words in writing so I’m sure this post is somewhat confusing
God Bless you all and please feel free to Comment
Click to expand...
Just remember that the Church does not require this of you or your wife, your son may be, but not the Church.
 
Tommy_TT_1 said:
No Lily their saying that If I go to Church and do not stand up with her parents and just sit , then it would be just best, I don’t go to the Mass or Baptismal at all
and I am on here so that I can just show them and learn myself from yours and everyone elses comments
Click to expand...
As Rich said, the Church does not require this of you.

You might also want to note that baptisms- indeed all sacraments- are generally open to anybody who wants to attend. I don’t know the exact place to find that bit of information, but in our parish bulletin, this is pointed out when all weddings and infant baptisms dates are published. So, your son can’t bar you from your grandchild’s baptism.
 
I think it’s important for you to be there for your grandson’s baptism. If you want to go, then go. Ignore your son’s silliness. If you do not feel comfortable going up to the altar, then don’t. Sit in the congregation and enjoy your grandson’s baptism.

I’ve never seen grandparents go up during a baptism, it’s not part of the Rite.
 
Just a thought, Maybe your grandchild is God’s way of saying to you…come home! I have missed you for so long, don’t stay away a minute longer.

To come home, consider this Easter season to go receive the sacrament of reconciliation…confession. You will never believe the graces you will receive from this wonderful sacrament.Believe me, the church is not for just saints, its for sinners as well. Thank goodness for that.
In this way, you can surely celebrate your grandchild’s baptism…and support your family in his upbringing in all ways. God bless you on becoming a grandpa.🙂
 
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