St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
3305 Glen Carlyn Road * Falls Church, Virginia 22041
Tel (703) 820-7111
Sponsor Certificate for Baptism/Confirmation
I (print name) ______, have been asked to be a godparent for ______, who is scheduled to be baptized on (date) ______, at (name of church) ______, in (location of church) ______
In agreeing to do so, I understand that I will be asked this question before God:
Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Do you also understand that you are being asked to help the parents fulfill the following promise:
You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking? [ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
The Church describes the duties of the godparents as follows: Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
Do you intend to help the parents to raise their child to: “lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it”? [ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
In order to be allowed to be a godparent and be able to fulfill this role you must:
Be at least 16 years old(unless the pastor of bishop has given an exception to this):[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Be a Catholic who has received First Holy Communion[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Be a Catholic who has been confirmed[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Be a Catholic who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on, specifically by living according to the five Precepts of the Church:
Do you already or do you promise to begin to:
Attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and remain free from work or activity that could impede the sanctification of such days. [ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Confess your sins at least once a year.[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Help to provide for the needs of the Church.[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Are you free of any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared?[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
If you are married, are you married validly in the Catholic Church?[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Are you someone other than the father or mother of the one to be baptized.[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Do you promise to pray for your godchild?[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Do you promise to set a good example of Christian living for your godchild?[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
Do you promise to continue to learn about the Catholic Faith so as to be able to address questions and
teach the appropriate lessons in Faith to your godchild?[ ] yes [ ] no [ ] ?
I (signature) ______promise to do all I reasonably can do to fulfill the above promises. I live in the Catholic parish of ______, in (location) ______
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Pastor (signature) Date
Parish Seal