Hello everyone. My son is 13 months and we FINALLY decided we want him to be catholic. His dad is catholic and so is alot of my family... i know hes a little "old" to be baptised but it can still be done right? Also.. do the godfather and godmother ABSOLTLY have to be catholic? cause that doesnt leave me alot of people....
2007-12-17 17:18:27 · 23 answers · asked by ? 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, you can still baptise your son.
Actually only one Godparent is necessary. You can have one godfather, one godmother, or one of each.
The role of the godfather and/or godmother is very important. They must be firm Catholic believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized—child or adult—on the road of Christian life.
To ensure this, a godparent must be at least 16 years old (for maturity's sake), fully initiated (having received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), be someone other than the legal parents, and one who leads a life in harmony with the Church.
If you have only one Catholic godparent, then you may have a baptized non-Catholic Christian participate as an official witness. The witness will be responsible for setting a good example for the baptized person while the Catholic godparent will share the specifics of the Catholic faith.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1255: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm
and the Code of Canon law, Canon 872 and following: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2Y.HTM
With love in Christ.
2007-12-17 17:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its never too late to baptize your child. At least one of the God parents has to be Catholic, because that person is promising to help teach the child by word and example what being a Catholic Christian is about. You, your husband, and both Godparents will need to attend baptism preparation classes so that everyone knows what it is all about, and what their roles and responsibilities are. It might be difficult to find a priest to baptize your son if you and your husband are not practicing Catholics. Baptism isn't magic. Unless there is some real evidence that you will be able to teach your child his faith by your example, most priests would refuse to baptize him. They would suggest that you begin attending church and learning about the faith yourselves, becoming part of the Christian community. When your child is baptized, the community of believers also are expected to help provide an example of what being a Christian is all about. If you aren't ready to do this, infant baptism is not very meaningful. The Church teaches that innocent children will go to God if they die- its not a matter of saving his soul or not. It is the first step of initiation into the Christian community. It you are not part of it, don't do it. When he is older, and if the influence of your family's ties to the church make him want to be baptized, it can be done at any age. It would mean a lot if your husband (and perhaps you) began to be part of the church community as a result of your desire for him to be baptized. I would suggest that the first step be to find a church where you feel comfortable, and begin attending. Then talk to the priest or the person in charge of baptism preparation. Don't do it just because it is tradition. Do it because you really want him to be a Catholic Christian.
2007-12-17 17:41:32 · answer #2 · answered by atbremser 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes godparents have to be catholic and you can have your child baptised anytime you want and the sooner the better, and i was just going to let you know that if you want him to go through with first communion and confirmation, that they are doing it at a younger age these days, so ask the priest about those too and write it down somewhere where it will be saved and not lost after years.
i got my baby baptized at 3 months old and i had to go to the churches office and tell them the names of the godmother and godfather and she said they needed to be confirmed (catholic) and they look up their records.
2007-12-17 17:22:10 · answer #3 · answered by "Your Name" on my *SS 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's never too late to have a baby baptized. My one godson had just turned 3 when he was baptized earlier this year.
Only ONE of the godparents has to be a practicing Catholic.
Congratulations!
2007-12-19 03:45:09 · answer #4 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One is never too old to be Baptized, therefore it is never too late.
And yes, the godparents MUST be Catholic. It is the responsibility of the godparents to make sure their god child(ren) are educated in the Faith. If, for whatever reason, the child's immediate family does not fulfill their responsibilities, the godparents are the ones to educate in the Faith. This is why godparents must be Catholic.
2007-12-18 04:12:55 · answer #5 · answered by Daver 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's unfortunate that you work on weekends. Do you get any days off? The church is supposed to have mass every day and you could go during the week sometimes. Also, It is good that you say the 3 Hail Marys every night with him and never let him forget them. Otherwise, tell your sister that if she finds you a better job that pays the same and has weekends off, then you'll take your son to mass on Sunday. God bless.
2016-04-10 05:28:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptising with that age does not really mean baptising him to be a catholic as he grow old, its just a way of offering and thanksgiving to God for giving you a son. As he grow old he can choice which religion he wants to in and be baptized as well...It is not really matter what religion his godmother and godfather came from, as long as they are worthy to be a second parent to your son whom you think that can guide your son into a good path someday when he grow old.
2007-12-17 17:26:02 · answer #7 · answered by TetzSexy 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He is never too old to be baptized. God parents have to be Catholic because they have to help your son become a good Catholic. In case you die, they have the responsibility to help your child go to heaven and hopefully to become a faithful catholic until the end of his life so he can go to heaven.
2007-12-17 21:41:38 · answer #8 · answered by hope 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not too late at 13 months and the godfather and godmother don't have to be Catholic.
2007-12-17 17:20:53 · answer #9 · answered by lisa b 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It all depends on what you believe. i am personally catholic and my god parents were always catholic. I think as long as they aren't really bad influences it works. It is never too late to be baptized. It is a great idea!!! Remember to take lots of pictures! Great to look back on.
Get like babies baptism candles, books, and crosses..
its nice to have....hope thishelps
2007-12-17 17:21:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋