Does anyone know whether you have at least two of each (two godmothers and two godfathers)?
Thanks guys : )
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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).
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@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 : )
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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).
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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.
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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".
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I know someone with 3 godmothers, it seems to be up to the priest.
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My middle DD has 3 Godparents. It wasn't a big deal with our parish at all.
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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.
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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.
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This is what our "handout" from our church says:
"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)"
But it sounds like it is church/priest dependent?!
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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?
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I think @Beebug: has it right.
Here's the link to the relevant Canon Law: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2Y.HTM.
You only need to have one, but the max is two--one male sponsor and one female sponsor.
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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 : )
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13 comments