For many Catholics, godparents are no more than kind strangers who give gifts on birthdays or special religious occasions. But they have a long and important history.

It starts, of course, with the Baptism of the Lord, which the Church celebrates on Jan. 12 this year. But the Church first introduced the role of the baptismal sponsor, or godparent, sometime between the end of the apostolic age and A.D. 150, according to Joseph Lynch, author of Godparents and Kinship in Early Medieval Europe. The godparent spoke for the infant, who was unable to cooperate actively in baptism.

In practice, however, throughout much of Church history, godparents were viewed more as social than as religious aids for their godchildren. Parents selected sponsors who could serve as lifelong benefactors for newborns.

To ensure that their children received as much help as possible, many parents gave them numerous godparents. For example, Regine Pernoud, author of Joan of Arc: Her Story, notes that trial transcripts indicate that Joan had five godparents.

In 1563, the Council of Trent limited the number of godparents to one male and one female. But debates over the proper role of sponsors continued to rage. The sumptuous ways in which some godparents upheld their social obligations resulted in legislation designed to curb their zeal.

Popular literature of the period reflects godparents' important social role. Even today, most people are familiar with the 17th-century version of “Cinderella,” in which the fairy godmother magically transforms the young woman's rags into an elegant gown, enabling her to attend the ball and attract the prince.

Not Just Gifts

Although many might still wish for a fairy godmother who would provide them with impressive material or social benefits, the Church entrusts godparents with a far more important task.

In a homily he delivered on Jan. 10, 1982, Pope John Paul II described godparents' important obligation.

“A duty,” he said, “is imposed … in a special way on parents and godparents: that of responsibly educating the newly baptized and helping them to grow in a Christian way.”

The Church takes the role of godparents so seriously it made their religious-instruction task a Church office (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1255). It also has special requirements for godparents.

The Code of Canon Law stipulates that each child should have at least one baptismal sponsor, either male or female; two sponsors, one of each sex, are also permissible (Canon 873). Sponsors must be baptized, confirmed and practicing Catholics who regularly pray, attend Mass, participate in the sacraments and are faithful to their obligations as Catholics (Canon 874). Godparents must also be at least 16 years old, although exceptions can be made for a just cause; and they can't be the parents of the child (Canon 874).

“Godparents, as long as they live, have to be an inspiring presence leading to the way Jesus taught us,” explains Father Adrian Figuerola.

Today's Godparents

Unfortunately, many of today's godparents' see their role as largely secular.

“For most godparents, it's an honorary title,” says Dan McGuire a Stafford, Va., Marine Corps Officer who takes his duties as a godfather of four children very seriously. “They are good friends of mom and dad, so they get to be godparents, and that's the end of it.”

Although it may be difficult to build and maintain a relationship with godchildren, especially if they live far away, various practical ways exist to do so.

“It's not that you have to change your whole lifestyle, but you can do simple things that are very meaningful,” says Richard Bimler, co-author of A Word to My Sponsor: Celebrating the Life of Your Godchild (Concordia Publishing House). “Little things done regularly remind that person that they always have a relationship with the Lord.”

Bimler cites his daughter Diane's godmother as an example of a godparent who was particularly diligent in fulfilling her obligations.

“She hasn't just remembered her birthday and Christmas, but she's had her in a prayer chain,” he says. “She showed an interest in our daughter's life in lots of little ways. Just by knowing someone is out there praying for you, calling you … lots of little things have really become big things.”

Indeed, “powerful godparenting can make a difference,” notes Kathleen Slattery in her article, “Godmother,” which appeared in the January 1990 issue of Guideposts magazine. She recalls a godparent she knew of in her pastor's first parish in South Carolina, nearly 50 years ago.

“A maiden lady ‘of a certain age,’ Miss B. had no fewer that 26 godchildren,” Slattery writes.

Miss B.'s pastor worried that such a large number of godchildren would prevent her from adequately fulfilling her responsibility. But a look at the chart Miss B. kept on her godchildren convinced him otherwise.

“The chart, which was as big as a billboard, took up the larger part of the wall,” Slattery continues. “Along the top were printed neatly the names of all 26 godchildren, and listed below in columns were their birthdays, baptism anniversaries, favorite books of the Bible, hymns, hobbies, foods, colors, latest accomplishments and more. Miss B. updated the information daily. Her chart, she said, was the first thing she saw in the morning and the last thing she looked at when she went to bed.”

Although it isn't always easy to imitate Miss B. who, being single and retired, perhaps had ample time to keep track of her numerous godchildren, McGuire, who travels frequently, is determined to build a relationship with his godchildren.

When they make their first reconciliation or receive first holy Communion, he sends them a letter explaining how the transmission of grace associated with that sacrament can affect their lives. He also offers suggestions for reflection on the reception of that sacrament.

“The letter is meant to be kept for reflection [when the children are older],” says McGuire. “But I always include a part that the kids can read themselves.”

Mary Zurolo is editor of The Fairfield (Conn.) Catholic. A version of the article appeared in Catholic Faith & Family

What You Can do for your Godchild

Keeping in touch by mail is a great way to maintain a relationship with a godchild, writes Elaine Ramshaw in The Godparent Book (Liturgy Training Publications). In her book, she provides many other creative suggestions for building relationships with godchildren. They include:

—Assembling a scrapbook about the baptism. Include photographs, the church bulletin and other mementos. Write about your feelings on that day, what you remember, and what you understand baptism to mean. This scrapbook can eventually be discussed with the child and given to him or her.

—Making a cloth activity book for a preschool child to play with in church. Use buttons, snaps, pockets and other hands-on items to make activity pages involving Christian symbols such as sheep, Noah's ark, baby Moses in a basket, and five loaves and two fish.

—Setting aside money that will be donated to charity each year. Tell the godchildren about the donation and then let them decide where that money will go.

—Sending Easter cards. If godchildren will be far away at Easter, special Easter cards can bring the message of Christ's resurrection to them. On the cards, write that you will always think about your godchildren and their baptism at Easter, because their baptism means that Christ's rising from the dead gives them new life, too.

Name days are another occasion that can be used to teach godchildren about the faith. They're celebrated on the feasts of the saints for which godchildren are named.

—Praying for godchildren. On patron saints' feast days, godparents might attend Mass with their godchildren. Daria Sockey, of Bethlehem, Pa., suggests observing godchildren's name days by bringing desserts symbolic of their patron saints—an angel-food cake for Saint Michael or a cake shaped like a sailboat for St. Peter or St. Paul.

—Baptism day gifts. The date on which godchildren were baptized can also be the occasion for celebration. Richard Bimler, co-author of A Word to My Sponsor: Celebrating the Life of Your Godchild, suggests observing godchildren's baptismal birthdays by holding gatherings on those days and inviting guests who are special to the godchildren. They can share a meal and discuss stories about the baptismal day. The godchildren can also light their baptismal candles and say special prayers.

—Prayer is an excellent way for baptismal sponsors to do something for their godchildren.

“A godparent can always pray for the family,” says Marianna Bartold of Otter Lake, Mich., “especially the parents of the child, that God will continually bless the marriage with the graces they need.”

“The one thing I do is have a Mass said for [godchildren] on their birthday,” says Mary Fries of Fountain, Colo. “The Mass is the most powerful prayer.”

—Gift-giving has always been the duty of godparents. Sponsors can also offer gifts that catechize.

“I think a bit of thoughtfulness on [the party of] a godparent, whether [they live] nearby or far away, can go far,” says Bartold. “Sending presents of religious books, such as a children's Bible, saints' stories or sacramentals such as rosaries, scapulars and medals is one thing a godparent can do.”

—Example, however, is the best way of giving to godchildren is through example, says Kay Magri of Scottsdale, Ariz., godmother of two. When she discovered that her goddaughter was not attending catechism classes, Magri sat down and talked with the child's mother.

“I said, ‘Look you gave me this job eight years ago, and I'm trying to fulfill my obligation,’ ” Magri recounts. “I personally take it very seriously.”

Magri took her godchild to religious-education classes. She also made a felt Advent calendar for her godchild; and, years later, she shopped for a wedding dress with her goddaughter.

“I think of it as a real serious commitment rather than just a christening-day obligation,” Magri says. “Godparenting is a lifelong journey that you should be taking with your godchild.”

—Mary Zurolo