Stress Choosing Godparents

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filegumbo

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One week ago my wife and I welcomed our third child into our family. We are having difficulties in deciding on godparents. We have pretty much run through the practicing Catholics among our family and friends with our first two children. The rest of our family has either fallen away from the faith or does not practice it.

In reality, our previous godparent choices have not turned out to be ideal. All of the family dynamics that go into such choices have affected us. You choose a brother because he’s your brother and you are his child’s godparent, not because he is the strongest Catholic. I’m sure some of you have experienced this pressure.

Now there is no one in my circle of family and friends I feel comfortable asking. My other brother is totally unchurched, having been baptized as an infant but not completing any of the other sacraments of initiation. He has no faith life at all.

We have several wonderful Christian friends who have strong faith lives who would be far better choices than the nominal Catholics among our friends and family.

I mean I’m not faced with choosing Michael Corleone as a godparent because he’s Catholic even though he’s ordering mob hits during the baptismal ceremony. Nothing that bad. I just have problems with asking someone to act as godparent simply because they are the closest “Catholic” in the family.

Any advice in this struggle?
 
Is there someone in your parish you could ask, even if they’re not currently your friends? Perhaps someone you see who is involved in the parish and an active Catholic? Such a person (or couple) would be a good role model for your baby and if you attend the same church would be someone you’d see often.

Maybe your pastor could put you in touch with someone he thinks would be interested.
 
Things a godparent HAS to be - a practicing Catholic.

Things a godparent DOES NOT have to be -

two people, you do not have to have both godfather and godmother, one of each if you DO have two, but one will suffice.

If there is a pair, they do not have to be married to each other. You can have Mrs. So and So and single John such and thus as godparents.

Unique for every child - if you have one practicing Catholic who is solid in the Faith and will pray for your child every day, they can be godparent to all 17 of your children (should you be blessed with 17 children).

Located where you are - they can live on the moon, they do not even have to have plane fare for the baptism - they can be represented by proxy.
 
I’ll pray for you because I have no one that I could ask either. If I convert I will be the only catholic in my circle of friends. I guess it’s going to be a challenge.
Hope it works out for your family.

Monica
 
Allo

Wondering how this is turning out. I’m in the same boat. My catholic family thinks I’m in a cult cause I go to church.

We have a little one on the way. And they are so far away, i doubt anyone will come. We just moved to this new town and I don’t know many people.

Stressful is all I can say!
 
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