Well I’ve been asked to be a godfather to my buddies son.
I greatfully accepted and was very honored to do so.
I was baptised Catholic, but never went farther than that, so I’m a little scketchy on the whole process.
Here is my questions, the baptism is next weekend and I was wondering what the “gift giving” protocol was for the godfather?
I’m assuming a gift is required, but is it supposed to be something specific (e.g. symbolic)? Or can it be anything? I know monetary value should never come into play in a situation like this, but what can a gift like this be compared too? Christmas? Birthday? Bigger?
Is this a Catholic Baptism? For an infant or an older child?
Not that either of those really matters…I might go with something like a savings bond, either $25 or $50 (I don’t know what the Canadian equivalent of a US savings bond is).
You can either go the route of buying something religious, like a small Bible or prayer book, or you could go the easy route and go for the Savings Bond.
You may have a slight problem in actually being the godfather when the parish in which the baptism is taking place finds out that you’re only baptized, and have not completed your sacraments of initiation (which also includes confirmation and holy communion [the Eucharist]).
After all, the godfather is supposed to be not only a good model of humanity (which I’m sure you are) and of spiritual maturity (which I’m sure you are), but also of commitment to being a practicing Catholic, which you admit you aren’t.
In fact, canon law requires that godparents be Confirmed.
If the parish is lax in following through with checking up on the pre-requisites for godparents, then nothing will happen. However, don’t be surprised if the child’s parents ask you to get a letter of eligibility (to be a godparent) from your own local parish.
If it becomes an issue, you’ll either have to back out (which you may decide to do, anyway, if you don’t think you can really be a model of a practicing Catholic, which is what being a godparent is all about); or, seek to get Confirmed, (which might take a year of preparation).
Be prepared to do certain “favors” for the kid’s father. In return you wil be able to expect unswerving loyalty, as well as a willingness to serve your Family’s interests without question, should such a situation arise.
