Godparent/Sponsor Letter Request Form

What does it mean to be a godparent or a sponsor?

Someone has appreciated you and your faith enough to ask you to share that faith with them or with their child. The role of godparents and sponsors is so important in our Catholic faith that we should be very clear about the responsibilities of sponsoring someone for Baptism or Confirmation prior to answering “yes."

This is what Canon Law, the official law of the Church, states in Canons 872-874:

The one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who will …. help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it.  To be admitted to the role of sponsor, a person must … have completed the sixteenth year, and must be a Catholic who has been baptized, confirmed, and has already received the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.

Being a Godparent or a Sponsor is far more than an honorary role. As a Sponsor for either Baptism or Confirmation you will be a living pattern of what a Christian is and how we call upon God in prayer. From the Godparent/Sponsor, this person will discover a sense of Church: they will learn of repentance, justice to the poor, the victory of the cross, hunger for the Eucharist, a love of the Sacraments, and the many other ways God’s love gives us new life. In other words, you represent to this person the rest of the Church, the communion of Saints to which the newly baptized will belong, and among whom the newly Confirmed will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. The individual (and his/her parents) should know that he/she is not alone in the quest to know God and to do God’s will. You will be there to be their role model in faith.

What are your hopes and dreams for your godchild or Confirmation Candidate? What do you most want to give them? What graces have you been given that you can share? What role did your own Godparents or Sponsor play in your discovery of God and in your religious formation? Even if distance or circumstances physically separate you, can you do a simple thing such as sending a card of remembrance and encouragement on the yearly anniversary of the Baptism or Confirmation?

How many other ways can you “be there” for them? How might you be needed throughout their life to be a mentor? A guide? A companion? A listener? An example? A teacher? A friend? How will you teach by example how to be comforting? Challenging? Encouraging? Forgiving? One thing we know for sure is you cannot fulfill this role without prayer and the regular reception of the Eucharist and other Sacraments. Your best resource in helping this person to actively live their faith is for you to actively live your faith.

As you remain active in the Church and keep growing in your faith and in love for God, you cannot go wrong. These sacraments create a strong spiritual bond between those who are receiving the sacrament and their sponsor.  A Catholic’s “yes” to being a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor is a serious commitment to God in taking on this obligation of faith, prayer, and service. 

Can you answer “yes” to these questions when someone asks you to be a Godparent or Sponsor?

• I have received the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
• If married, I was married in the Catholic Church. Or, if single, I am attempting to live according to the moral teachings of the church (not living with anyone outside of marriage).
• I participate in the Mass on Sundays and Holydays and receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly.
• I actively strive to live out my commitment to Christ and to the community life of the Church by my loving response to those whom I come in daily contact.
• I understand and accept the responsibility of being a Godparent/Sponsor, supporting him/her by prayer and by being an example in living the Catholic faith.

Godparents and Sponsors serve a very special and unique role in the life of the person being Baptized or Confirmed. A Godparent or Sponsor should be a trustworthy witness to the faith journey of the newly Baptized or Confirmed. Can you say “yes” when asked to be that witness?

Download Sponsor Form

Please print the page at the link above and complete the information as requested. If you are unable to print this form, you can pick one up at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Administrative Offices (800 Avila Court). You may drop off the completed form at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Administrative Offices or mail it to:

Nancy Koslosky
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
800 Avila Court
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Deacon Cliff Homer, Pastoral Associate, will sign the letter stating that you are an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. The Parish Seal will be placed on the letter and it will be sent to the church of the Baptism or Confirmation. If there are any questions of you, someone will contact you via phone or email.

Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Koslosky at [email protected] or at 412.367.9001 ext. 8536.