One essential aspect of the life of every parish and the ministry of every bishop, priest and deacon is the faithful and worthy administration of the sacraments. In the Glossary of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, we find “Sacrament” defined as “An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us by the work of the Holy Spirit” (page 526). It is in this context that I want to focus our attention on the role and qualifications for serving as a Sponsor (or Godparent) for the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. 

 According to the Church’s Code of Canon Law, a Godparent will, “together with the parents, help the baptized to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it” (canon 872). A Godparent or Sponsor is meant to be a role model in living the Faith as well as a spiritual companion to the one for whom they enter into this privileged relationship. Canon Law establishes the following criteria that must be met for anyone who aspires to serve as a Baptismal Godparent or a Confirmation Sponsor. Such a person:
 
· Must be at least 16 years of age;
 
· Must be a fully initiated Catholic (i.e., have been baptized, confirmed and received First Holy Communion);
 
· Must be registered and active in a Catholic parish and attend Mass regularly (i.e., every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation);
 
· Must, if married, be in a valid, sacramental marriage recognized as such by the Church (i.e., married according to the laws and regulations of the Catholic Church);
 
· Must, if single, be living a chaste celibate lifestyle and not cohabiting with anyone (i.e., living together and having sexual relations);
 
· Must not be bound by any canonical penalty;
 
· Must not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized;
 
· Must understand the responsibility being undertaken as a Godparent or Sponsor and have both the  desire and intention to fulfill this responsibility faithfully.

 Since the Church regards these requirements very seriously, a Letter of Eligibility is required of every potential Godparent/Sponsor in which her or his Pastor attests to their having fulfilled these conditions before being assigned. Our parish, like many others, has developed a form for this purpose that is given to the families preparing for Baptism and Confirmation for them to pass along to the persons they intend to ask to serve as Godparents or Sponsors. Please feel free to approach any of the priests or deacons serving our parish with questions you may have about your own or someone else’s eligibility to serve as a Baptismal Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor. May we continue to work together diligently to make the Lord Jesus Christ truly present in our community!

 With a brother’s love in the Lord and Mary Immaculate,

 Deacon Dave, O.F.S.
T    In Persona Christi Servi