On Sponsors of Baptism
We are always delighted when our Ninong or Ninang gives us a gift during Christmas. And so often, parents would choose Sponsors who are well-to-do and are known to be generous. They, the Ninong and Ninang, usually volunteer to “sponsor” or take care of the fees, give gifts, and even shoulder the expenses for the celebration. Sometimes too, parents would choose Sponsors as a reward for friendship. But more than that, the spiritual bond created should be given a priority. This is why, the Code of Canon Law devotes a whole chapter on the Sponsors of Baptism that specifies the qualifications, duties and obligations of a Sponsor, to guide the Parents, with the help of the Pastor, in choosing a Sponsor. It is good to review them here.
The primary function of a Sponsor is to stand witness to the conferral of the Sacrament of Baptism. This finds special importance since Baptism is conferred only once and if records are lost, the testimony under oath by the sponsor that the Child was baptized is primordial.
Canon 872 states that 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.
Canon 873 is specific that there is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. This is why in the Canonical Book of Baptism and Baptismal Certificate only two spaces for names of Sponsors are provided. In the Philippines where parents choose more than a pair of male and female sponsors, they must specify the two names to be recorded in the Book of Baptism and the Baptismal Certificate to be issued.
Canon 874 §1 lists down the qualifications for one to be permitted to be a Sponsor:
1. Be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence, by the pastor or minister; the one designated must have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function.
2. Have completed the sixteenth year of age; the pastor may grant an exception for a just cause.
3. Be a Catholic who has been completely initiated to the Faith, meaning, has been Confirmed and has already received Communion, and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on.
4. Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.
5. Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
In the abovementioned canons, we see that to be a Sponsor of baptism should not be taken lightly but religiously. As it were, the Sponsor is a mystagogue leading the one baptized into the mysteries of the Christian Faith, more by example rather than sermons.
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