What is the significance of godparents

The role served to strengthen interfamily bonds and to welcome the child into an already established social network, Sweetman says. While some parents continue to have their children baptized as a way to welcome them into the Church, the motivations for baptism have broadened.

Today, some parents are choosing to have their children baptized mostly as a reason to celebrate the birth of the child, Alfani says. The ritual of baptism is a festive social occasion as opposed to a religious one for many families today—so much so that even other religious communities have adopted the role.

Other non-Christian faiths have their own godparent-like traditions, and many families in these faiths are being similarly influenced by broader cultural trends. Gartner, who lives in Brooklyn, hopes her kids, now 10 and 8 years old, see their godparents as two other sets of aunts and uncles they can turn to for advice and professional guidance. Shakarra McGuire, who works in communications for a nonprofit in Washington, D. A common misconception of godparenthood is that should the parents pass, the godparents would gain custody of the child.

Still, Maya Flinn, who lives in Providence, Rhode Island, says she would raise her two godchildren—her year-old niece and the 4-year-old son of her childhood friend—if anything were to happen to the parents.

The parents have updated their wills to reflect this, she says. But the religious aspects of godparenting are still central for some families.

Alvin Clay has been a godparent for most of his life. He was first named godfather at 16 when his first godkid—his cousin, now 22—was born. Growing up in a large Catholic family in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, Clay was accustomed to family members serving as godparents for one another and offering support as they received sacraments such as communion and confirmation. In addition, during Medieval times, the Sacraments of Initiation were administered concurrently e.

Second, Godparents had to protect the doctrine of the Faith from paganism and persecution in the early days. Finally, Godparents were critical spiritual guides if parents of a child were martyred and had no direction in the Faith. Around the year A. Sponsors were intended to be adults who committed themselves to assist parents of children to teach them the Catholic Faith. Truthfully, the Church does not require that a child have two sponsors, but traditionally this is what most people select — one male and one female.

Oftentimes parents would lament over the difficulty in choosing Godparents for their child, because they believed they had to ask a family member in order to avoid inadvertently offending someone close to them. Ideally, Godparents should be people who are people you spend time with and trust very deeply, people you know well and recognize as faithful Catholics. You want to approach a person or people who would naturally fit into your family as spiritual parents for your children — not only if something unfortunate or drastic happened to you, but also to mentor and support you when you experience a particular spiritual darkness or aridity.

When in doubt, pray for discernment. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you who would be solid spiritual role models for your child.

But then nothing much happens after the Baptism. My Godparents were always present in my life from infancy onward. They attended every major milestone in my life, from First Communion to graduations and everything in between. Roles of a godparent fundamentally require helping the child in their spiritual journey, but it does not stop there. This can play out as attending a soccer game, or taking the child for an intentional day of spending time with them.

Celebrating their achievements and being present throughout their lives is the fundamental role of a godparent. Above all else, loving the child through the love of the Holy Spirit is the role and responsibility of a godparent.

It is very important not to let the choosing of godparents be a passive or quick decision. Typically, a mother will choose the godmother and the father will choose the godfather, but that is not a set-in stone rule. Together a mother and father should choose the godparents that are best for their child, not ones out of pressure or convenience. Prayer is the first step to this. Asking the Lord who His choice of godparent for your new little blessing is, or asking Him to make it apparent to your own heart who will take on the role well.

It is also wise to consider how this person has lived their own life. Have they sought to have a deeper relationship with the Lord, even in their own imperfections and flaws? Have they handled trials and stormy seasons in a godly manner? Are they honest, trustworthy, and do they have an intentional heart for children? Choosing a godparent is not an easy task, but it is one of consequence.

It is crucial to ensure the person you choose will take on the role and not neglect it. Praying for your godchild is important daily. The Lord knows what is going on in their lives, what they will face and what they will learn that day.

Pray protection over the child, pray that the child does not fall into harm, and pray that the Lord blesses the child that day. Also pray that the Lord will guide and direct you in how to pray for and be there for the child that day. Godparents in many ways are like a second set of parents but in a different way.

Often a child may feel more comfortable sharing about some aspects of their lives they would not share with their parents. Developing a relationship from a young age is important so that the child knows the godparent is there for them.

At times, it may look like giving advice from a Christian perspective on big life decisions, at times romantic decisions, or at times developing relationship to live out life with that child.

Never discount the blessing and impact a day of ice cream and mini-golf can have on a child.