Author Topic: Godparents (Read 1385 times)

SoldierOfChrist · « **on:** January 12, 2015, 04:45:57 PM »

My wife and I will be having our first child since converting to Tradition this May. It has suddenly occurred to me that choosing godparents is going to be difficult. What would you do? We are not overly close with anyone at our SSPX chapel, although we are friendly with lots. My wife has an aunt and uncle who favor the diocesan TLM, but also go to the NO. I've got a sister and brother-in-law who are similarly inclined. Would you get near strangers from the chapel to be the godparents or what?

songbird · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2015, 05:41:47 PM »

Godparents are those who will pray for your child and can be there for you like the godmother of St. Bernadette. Yes, it is nice to have family. You could and have someone stand in place of that godparent (s). But whoever it is, you would need someone in the state of grace for their prayers, masses to be effective.

Mabel · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2015, 07:17:34 PM »

You should pick someone who believes and practices the same as yourselves. If you do not attend the Novus Ordo, avoid picking a godparent from that pool.

I pick traditional Catholics whom I know pray the rosary and actively keep the liturigical year, as we do. Then, if they live far, I just have an older couple from the chapel stand in for them.

It is ok and often better not to pick family, but be prepared that they may be offended.

MrsZ · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2015, 04:25:21 PM »

We are only affiliated with the novus ordo and always have been .. first due to ignorance and later due to distance. We ended up choosing family members to be godparents and really bungled that because none of them were / are practicing Catholics. Catholics in name only. They've never taken an interest in our children, as godparents, nor even as family members. They don't communicate, send cards/letters for birthdays or the dates of their baptisms. It was a mere formality and they've always treated it as such.

You are fortunate to know people who are least open to the Traditional Latin Mass and are trying to the best of their understanding to live a good Catholic life. Choose the most devout you know whether family or friends who will pray for your children, provide a good example and take care of the spiritual education if necessary.

Also, don't forget to think ahead for Confirmation. You'll need sponsors who aren't their godparents then.

God Bless.

LaramieHirsch · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2015, 09:16:07 PM »

It could be worse. You could be surrounded by family and associates who are nothing but faithless people or protestants at best.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2015, 02:30:09 PM »

Quote from: SoldierOfChrist

My wife and I will be having our first child since converting to Tradition this May. It has suddenly occurred to me that choosing godparents is going to be difficult. What would you do? We are not overly close with anyone at our SSPX chapel, although we are friendly with lots. My wife has an aunt and uncle who favor the diocesan TLM, but also go to the NO. I've got a sister and brother-in-law who are similarly inclined. Would you get near strangers from the chapel to be the godparents or what?

We used our close family who were practicing Trads in the right age range for our firstborn, but then moved on to people we know from our local chapel. We're not especially close to most of them, but they're not strangers to us. Most importantly, they're all solid Catholics and the first thing we desire is someone who will pray for our children.

I wouldn't rule out your Trad-leaning family members if occassional NO attendance is their only flaw. If they seem to practice the Faith to the best of their ability, they'd probably be a good option.

SoldierOfChrist · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2015, 10:06:17 PM »

Quote from: MaterDominici

Quote from: SoldierOfChrist
My wife and I will be having our first child since converting to Tradition this May. It has suddenly occurred to me that choosing godparents is going to be difficult. What would you do? We are not overly close with anyone at our SSPX chapel, although we are friendly with lots. My wife has an aunt and uncle who favor the diocesan TLM, but also go to the NO. I've got a sister and brother-in-law who are similarly inclined. Would you get near strangers from the chapel to be the godparents or what?

We used our close family who were practicing Trads in the right age range for our firstborn, but then moved on to people we know from our local chapel. We're not especially close to most of them, but they're not strangers to us. Most importantly, they're all solid Catholics and the first thing we desire is someone who will pray for our children.

I wouldn't rule out your Trad-leaning family members if occassional NO attendance is their only flaw. If they seem to practice the Faith to the best of their ability, they'd probably be a good option.

Yeah, I'm thinking the same. Then maybe they'll convert down the line, but right now, they are following their consciences. I'd probably be interested in moving on to fellow parishioners after that.

Thanks everyone for the advice!