when I´m 5 months pregnant.
Nothing could have brightened my day more than reading this, I am so very happy for all of you.
I have no idea how I should find a godparent in this short time…
I have an idea
This does add to the challenge, but it can be done.
So my idea would be this: Research monasteries and convents of religious orders in the geographic region where you are going to, or where the parents of you and your spouse live (someplace that you’ll be going back to over the course of your lives, a place that represents a geographic anchor). There are very few
orthodoxe Klöster in Germany but
the godparents need not necessarily be orthodox.
-(ellipsis) (As far as I know, deciding on the aptitude for being a godparent is at the discretion of the priest celebrating the baptism. Some priests will be more strict requiring the godparent to have received the sacrament of confirmation, but many will dispense that requirement if given valid reason and need.)
Having that long parenthesis behind us, let’s return to the idea of monastery or convent.
Why?
Because, if you choose godparents that are a monk and a nun, you have several important guarantees. First, the godparent will be very aware of their responsibility towards the child. Second, they will understand -with ease- the position you find yourself in, the intricacies of ecumenical dialogue, and that the child needs and should have a good godparent present for them in that constant and consistent capacity.
The consecrated religious, will understand that their role is not only a responsibility, but a privilege that in turn entails a duty. I think he/she would embrace, as they do, such immense privilege… And perhaps, who could be better qualified?
Then, I would recommend a Benedictin religious living in a Kloster that habitually receives pilgrims and visitors for prolonged stays. Should the child at any point in their lives feel the need to “get away from it all”, they can always visit their godparent.
(It was traditional for the parish priest to have many godchildren, being a highly solicited public figure. And perhaps an enclosed religious living in the world whilst away from it, will have even more availability for their godchild. To write a letter, to have a brief meeting and conversation - should that young person ever feel the need of it, his godparent will surely be there.)
I think I am a bit concerned with chosing a person as godparent who is completely strange to me.
And I think you shouldn’t choose a complete stranger. Modern life is hectic, but if you have a little time to visit a Kloster for mass try it (there might be one just a few minutes away from you - that you never even thought or heard of). Don’t be afraid to write or meet the superior of the Kloster, explain this to him like you explained it to us. I’m sure that prior will receive you joyfully.
God bless.
