You have been asked to be a godparent, or sponsor, at the baptism of a child. For you it is a special honor to be included as a "member of the family" in such a position of trust.

What does this is sold about your own faith and what responsibilities do you take on in this role? Your job, whether you live next door or on the other side of the world, is to help your godchild grow up whole and strong. That is the Church's intent as well as the parents' desire. At the same time the role of godparent implies a spiritual relationship to the child and to his or her development. Godparents are normally expected to be baptized and practicing Christians who can assist parents in their concern for the religious development of a new Christian in the fellowship of the Church.

The spiritual relationship between godparent and child is unique in the Catholic Church; and it binds you to the child, together with the parents, in that larger family which is the Catholic Church. Children learn most from the example of those close to them. Your preparation for the service provides a good opportunity to review the meaning of baptism and your responsibilities as a member of the Church. A good way to do this is to study the notes and liturgy for the Sacrament of Baptism.

Sponsors of infants and young children stand with the clergy before the baptismal font, present their candidates by name, make solemn promises of their own and other vows on behalf of the children. Godparents reaffirm their own commitment to the Christian faith (the baptismal covenant) and promise to be responsible to see that the child is brought up in the Catholic Church. Godparents also help with the achievement of this goal by their own prayers and witness.

On behalf of the child, godparents declare their determination to renounce evil and put their trust in Jesus Christ. The actual questions are:

These questions, or others with similar intent, have been part of the rite of baptism, universally, for millennia. The interpretation of their meaning has buried for different persons, times and cultures. For pagan converts and for candidates from Christian homes alike the traditional promises have underlying the meaning of baptism as a crucial turning point in one's relationship to God and therefore in the whole orientation of one's life.

Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ Body, the Church, and inheritors of the Kingdom of God. Through baptism a child becomes a member of the Church just as a baby becomes a citizen of the country by being born in it. It is the desire of those who bring a child to be baptized that he or she should grow up knowing that such a relationship, by God grace, exists between the child and other baptized persons; and that he or she will be guided and strengthened by this orientation all through life. The Sacrament of Baptism is normally celebrated as part of a public service of the Church. It is a joyful occasion for a parish to welcome its newest member and the whole parish community will share responsibility for the child's future Christian education.

Depending on local custom, a sponsor may be asked to read one of the assigned passages from Scripture, a list of petitions, or to take part in the service in other appropriate ways. How you carry out your responsibilities as a godparent afterwards will depend on whether you live nearby and other circumstances, but here are some suggestions:

1. Begin now and continue daily to pray for the child and the family.



2. Remember the baptismal date and send a card or a small suitable gift each year to your godchild on the anniversary.



3. Set aside an afternoon from time the time to see your godchild and to do something together that would appeal to him or her.



4. When the child is old enough and if the parents have not already done so, arrange to get the child into a religious education program. Get to know the teacher and show an interest in the lessons.



5. Take the child with you to church on occasion and tell him or her about the church and its furnishings.



6. When the child can read, provide a Bible and a prayer book.



7. Talk to the child with enthusiasm about the work of the church, at home and abroad. But the child know what you think baptism means and why you consider it to be important step and growing up as a Christian. If you believe that it is important, your conviction will come through.



8. When the teenage years are reached, you will have become an "available adult," your godchild's friend. Remember your own adolescent years, how seldom it happened that an adult took you into his or her confidence, wondering how things were going in your world. In what way can you become available to your godchild as an adult who cares?



9. When your godchild claims for his or her own what Christianity means, your goal will have been reached. Confirmation in the Catholic Church marks the moment when Christians are ready to say "yes" to their Lord, to the important people in their lives and to the Church. Be present. On that date will be glad you said "yes" to the privilege and responsibility of being a godparent.

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