Godparents?

ccl239 · #1 Jan 14, '12, 3:11 am

I'm looking for some advice. I am a convert and my husband is not Catholic (yet). We don't have any Catholic friends who are practicing. We have to find someone to be a Godparent to our DD who was just born and don't know what to do. I asked our Priest and he said "just find someone". I didn't think this would be an issue because my mother is also Catholic so I thought we could just ask her but our Priest said DD has to have two Godparents. Any ideas?

Kelfa28 · #2 Jan 14, '12, 3:25 am

I was always taught that having two Godparents was unnecessary. You needed to have at least one Godparent that was a practicing and fully sacramented Catholic. If you had another, they could act as a witness.

I only have one true Godparent: my Godmother, who is my mom's cousin and best friend. My Godfather is my dad's brother. They aren't married and only one of them was Catholic.

I was told by my priest that in order to have my daughter baptized we only needed one practicing Catholic to act as a Godparent. My Fiance and I are in the same boat as we have very few people to choose from. My mom is fully sacramented yet she has not practiced her faith for over two decades. My Fiance has a Great Aunt who is fully sacramented and does practice but she is single and he also has an Aunt who lives across the country and her husband is Jewish.

There is always the possibility to start making friends within your parish and asking a couple there to be the Godparents.

Ellyakamommy · #3 Jan 14, '12, 4:46 am

You need one practicing Catholic to serve as godparent. The other need only be Christian and can serve as a 'Christian witness'. My DH has served twice as the practicing godparent while the godmother was in reality a witness. Hth

Ellyakamommy · #4 Jan 14, '12, 4:51 am

One other thought OP... Who was your sponsor when you converted and were confirmed? Could they not serve as a godparent for you?

JohnMPhilomena · #5 Jan 14, '12, 4:59 am

Other posters are correct that only one godparent must be catholic. But, how about your priest as godfather and your mother as godmother?

My youngest daughter has a priest for a godfather. This priest is currently living in India, but he prays for her constantly and that is better than anything.

So, while asking us here in this forum is a good idea - have you asked God who He wants?

Peace,
John

SuscipeMeDomine · #6 Jan 14, '12, 8:16 am

I'm surprised that your priest couldn't provide more help.

There was an excellent suggestion above -- your RCIA sponsor would make a wonderful godparent for your child as well. Another possibility would be to talk with whoever coordinates the baptism classes for your parish. Perhaps one of the other parents of a child being baptized could be the godparent.

Castello · #7 Jan 14, '12, 12:43 pm

Look around the parish, do you see a family who shines with the love of Jesus? How about a lady or man who is the one who is always there, helping out, praying? See someone you want to be a spiritual role model for your child in the parish... and ask them to be your child's sponsor!