Baptism

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Godparents are individuals who serve as role models and guides in the spiritual life of those being baptized. They stand with the ones who are reborn in the waters of Baptism and accompany them on their Christian journey.

Because of their important mission to serve as a spiritual parent to their godchildren the Church lays out the following criteria for anyone seeking to be a godparent:

• At least 16 years old
• Not the parents or legal guardians of the one being baptized
• Fully initiated Catholic (has been baptized, confirmed, and received their first communion)
• If married, they must be married in the Church
• If not married, they must not be living with a significant other
• They attend mass regularly and are in good standing with the Church

When are Baptisms scheduled?

What if the godparent we want is civilly married?

Because of their important role to their future godchild(ren) and the great gift that is the Sacrament of Matrimony a potential godparent must be married in the Church before they can serve in that capacity. Those who are civilly married should contact the office to look into getting married in the Church via a process called convalidation. This will differ for each couple, so it is recommended that potential godparents needing a convalidation contact the office as soon as possible before the baptism is scheduled.

What if the godparent we want still needs a sacrament?

As godparents have the responsibility of serving as guides and mentors to their godchildren on their faith journeys, they must already have received their own sacraments before leading others. As such, those who are still missing any of their sacraments should contact their local parish as soon as possible to begin the process. Those baptized Catholics belonging to our parish but still needing to be confirmed or make their first communion should click on their respective links. Those unbaptized should go to our link for RICA.

What if the godparent we want is not a Catholic?

A baptized, non-Catholic Christian may serve as a Christian witness. They stand alongside a Godparent and fulfill a similar role in the celebration of the sacrament, promising before God that they too will help guide the one to be baptized in their faith journey as a Catholic. 

Two important notes regarding Christian Witnesses. First, they are not a substitute to a godparent. A Christian Witness must stand with at least one godparent for the baptismal rite. Second, a person who at any point was Catholic but no longer identifies as such cannot serve as a Christian Witness. Catholics and former Catholics cannot stand in as Christian Witnesses. 

Can I have only one godparent? What about two godfathers/godmothers?

For a baptism only one godparent is required of either sex. Parents are free to choose two separate godparents but they must be one male and another female. You may not have two godparents of the same gender.