https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:07:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-653317 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:57:05 +0000 travelgirl1 653317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If anyone else finds this later and has the same question, it seems totally priest dependant. I emailed the priest doing the service and his reply was that there is no limit, but we needed a standard two practicing catholics. Lucky A is probably having three of each : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651566 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:28:43 +0000 honeybear 651566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think @Beebug: has it right. </p> <p>Here's the link to the relevant Canon Law: <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2Y.HTM" rel="nofollow">http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2Y.HTM</a>. </p> <p>You only need to have one, but the max is two--one male sponsor and one female sponsor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651541 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:13:25 +0000 jetsa 651541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Foodnerd81: I've never heard of more than one of each. I am my cousins godmother and then because her father's family is Lutheran her uncle was a christian witness. Maybe it is the priest's prerogative? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651529 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:08:25 +0000 Beebug 651529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is what our "handout" from our church says:</p> <p>"The child may have one or two godparents. The child does not have more than two godparents. If two godparents are chosen, one is to be man and the other a woman. (Canon 874)"</p> <p>But it sounds like it is church/priest dependent?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651416 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:28:38 +0000 LovelyPlum 651416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am pretty sure that it is flexible in that you can have others stand as Christian Witnesses during the ceremony as well as godparents. I think this also varies by diocese because I have a friend whose 3 year old has two godmothers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651126 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:54:08 +0000 SAHM0811 651126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What usually happens is only 1 godmother and 1 godfather make it onto the baptismal certificate. Others can still be "godparents" and be involved in the ceremony (discuss it with your priest), but their names won't be on paper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651100 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:01:09 +0000 mrsmenow 651100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My middle DD has 3 Godparents. It wasn't a big deal with our parish at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651064 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:12:21 +0000 Boogs 651064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know someone with 3 godmothers, it seems to be up to the priest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651043 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:05:53 +0000 Grace 651043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've got cousins with 3 godparents. I'd check with the priest - it very well may be up to him. There's an amazing amount of stuff that is "priest's perogative". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651037 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:00:53 +0000 LittleFox 651037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm...code of canon law apparently only allows for 1 male sponsor, 1 female sponsor, or one of each. I would still ask your priest, though- it sure couldn't hurt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651033 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:57:15 +0000 LittleFox 651033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Requirements differ a bit based on the diocese you work with (some follow rules more strictly than others in practice), but typically one of each is fine. One must be a practicing Catholic, the other can be Catholic or a practicing Christian of another denomination. I've never heard of having more than 2, but you could ask your priest. The godparents don't have to be related to one another (e.g. you don't have to choose two members of a married couple or anything). Ours had to provide a letter from their church saying they were practicing, but that should be easy for most godparents who are registered at a church (the priest will know what they're asking for). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651028 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:54:51 +0000 travelgirl1 651028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Oops, we kind of already asked two godfathers and a godmother! I remember at my catholic niece's christening though, she had about four? Maybe it depends on the priest? My family is CofE and there you can have about three of each, lol. They're spoilt for choice : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651023 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:52:41 +0000 Foodnerd81 651023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm almost positive it's only one of each. You can also have only one godparent, or one Catholic godparent and one 'Christian witness'- someone who is Christian, but never baptized Catholic. They won't let you even have just two godmothers-- only one of each. (This comes up in my family because I have 3 sisters, all confirmed and in 'good standing' with the church, but my brother is divorced and remarried (ie, not in 'good standing' and DH's brothers were never confirmed). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-godparents-can-you-have-for-catholic-christening#post-651017 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:49:20 +0000 travelgirl1 651017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone know whether you have at least two of each (two godmothers and two godfathers)? </p> <p>Thanks guys : ) </p>