Question about catholic baptism?

Question

my friends son asked me to be his godmother today and i don't really know what i am suppose to be doing to get ready for his baptism the end of next month. they are hispanic and i know that this is taken serious in that culture.

Answer 1

Go to the Catholic church. They probably have an orientation or training course for godparenting.

Answer 2

In the formal religious sense the role of the Godparents is to provide constant support to enforce the catholic education of the kid and to serve as surrogate parent.

In most cases is a sign of respect.  The kid obviously likes you and respects you.  You are expected to:

- obviously participate in ceremony, including pre-ceremony classes at church;

- in ceremony you are to stand at front, holding kid, candle, and other things;

- in some cases godparents are asked to help buy part of items in ceremony, like clothes, candles, etc.  ask openly to parents whether they would like help with any of items;

- in some places godparents are expected to give presents to kids at church.  In old days the godparents would trow small denomination coins to all kids just outside church.  Now days they often provide a little gift with name of kid and date of event.  Like a little angel, a pin, etc.  Again, check with parents.

- again some time the godparent are expected to help with some expenses of party,

- It is customary for almost everybody to give a little present to kid, but particularly important for godparents.  It was kind of tradition to give an object made of silver.  Like a little spoon, a picture frame, etc.

Answer 3

Are you Catholic? If you're not I don't believe you can be a godparent I believe you can be a witness or sponsor.

http://www.decorativecrossesforthewall.n...

Answer 4

The answers before this are good.

Also, you may ask them (your friends) if is there a pre-baptism curse in their church, or any other near to you. Or you may ask to the priest. Usually we (mexican catholics) must take a curse to learn about our responsabitilies in raising and educating our children, previus to the batism. In some churchs it takes only one day and in some others several days.

And, yes, it is very important to us; and a great honor to be invited as godmother or godfather. Then, you will become "comadre" (as woman) or "compadre" (as man) to your friends. We use to say: "ofender a un compadre es ofender al Altísimo" (an ofense to a "compadre" is an ofense to God). Also we say "a falta de padres, padrinos" (in lack of parents, godparents), we asume that if the parents die, godparents will take care of our children.

Answer 5

There are a number of occasions that the church is involved in in Mexican life.  From school graduation to baptism.  I've been a godfather to both.  It all depends on the family and what is expected of you.   Usually you are just a good friend who acts as a witness and a little moral support.

There should be no financial or lifetime obligation other than your friendship with the family

Answer 6

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1255: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2s...

and the Code of Canon law, Canon 872 and following: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__...

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Here's some good info:

http://www.catholicdoors.com/faq/qu28.ht...