"Go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a witness to them." St. Matthew, 8:10.
Back in the 1920's a mere boy was crowned king. Though only eight years old, Prince Michael was crowned king of Bulgaria to succeed his deceased father. As Michael was not old enough to rule, his mother, the queen, ruled for him. To help take care of her son's domain she appointed a guardian or regent. In case of the queen mother's death this regent was to have full powers until the young king came of age.
The sponsor at Baptism is like this regent. He governs in place of another. Every baptized person inherits a kingdom, the kingdom of heaven. Does not God then make us His sons and daughters? But, if a child cannot manage an earthly kingdom, much less can a mere boy or girl manage a heavenly kingdom. Just as King Michael needed a governor until he came of age, so the baptized child, heir of the kingdom of heaven, needs a gover-. nor until it can take care of its own spiritual possessions. We call such a governor a sponsor or godparent.
Though the Bible does not mention sponsors, we find them already in early Christian times. They were always necessary, but especially during the early persecutions. In those days there was constant danger that parents would be martyred, and that the children would fall back into paganism. Godparents were absolutely necessary to take care of these orphaned Catholic children.
Sponsors are just as necessary today. We, too, live in a time of persecution, not bloody persecution, but an under-handed, serpent-like sort of attack. The Romans cried: "The Christians to the lions." Today the enemies of Christ cry out: "The Christians to the lions - the lions of impurity and greed, the lions of injustice and pride." In the newspaper, at the theater, over the radio, and in godless schools we meet these lions. To protect us from them the Church has sponsors.
As you know, sponsors are those persons who present the child to be baptized. In the name of the child they make a profession of faith. They take upon themselves the duty of seeing to the spiritual needs of the little one. After birth an infant needs a nurse to take care of its body. After spiritual birth a child needs a sponsor to take care of its soul. Primarily this duty belongs to parents. Should they die, or be unable or unwilling to take spiritual care of their offspring, the duty falls upon the sponsors. They must help the child keep its baptismal promises, help the child learn his prayers and catechism, and see that he attends a Catholic school.
To be sponsor is an honor. Allow me to repeat some of the requirements for those who receive this honor. A sponsor must have the use of reason and be a member of the Church in good standing. He must be old enough for the responsibility. He should not be the father or mother, husband or wife of the one baptized. The priest or the parents must appoint the godparents, who, to show their acceptance, hold or touch the infant during the ceremony. Sponsors should know something about the Catholic faith.
Only Catholics can be sponsors, because only a Catholic can carry on the instruction of the child in its Catholic faith. In most cases a priest will permit a nonCatholic relative to stand by, but in every case the official sponsors must be Catholic.
During the ceremony they answer for the child. They recite the Apostles' Creed and the Our Father. They hold, or at least touch the child, at the pouring of the water and saying of the words. These great honors bring great responsibilities.
Should the parents die or neglect their Christian duty, the sponsors are to look after the Catholic education of their charge.
In general godparents do not have a great deal to do with the training of their godchildren. The parents take care of it. However, I would make two suggestions: Pray every day for your godchild. Secondly, when financially able godparents should occasionally give some religious gift to their spiritual children. This gift may be a prayer-book, Rosary, a subscription to some good Catholic magazine, or a Catholic book like "The Lives of the Saints," which can be obtained in editions adapted to young people.
In most parishes it is customary for the sponsors to offer a little gift to the priest on the occasion of a Baptism. This is generally done after the ceremony is over. If your gift takes the form of money, I suggest that it be enclosed in an envelope and quietly offered. In this matter there is a wide range of practice. Follow the custom that prevails in your parish. Offering something is a fine gesture of appreciation.
To all of you who ever have been sponsors, and who ever will be sponsors, I say: Take your duties seriously. Realize your responsibility. You are the special guardians and protectors of those who have inherited a kingdom. Help your charges arrive at their kingdom. Amen.
_____________________
Adapted from "Talks on the Sacraments" (1947)
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM
No comments:
Post a Comment