Godparents are individuals chosen by parents to take an interest in a childs upbringing and personal development, to offer mentorship or claim legal guardianship of the child if anything should happen to the parents. They are typically chosen when a child receives the sacrament of Baptism, a rite of admission into Christianity. The role of a godparent is to bear witness to a childs baptism and later help in their catechesis, as well as their lifelong spiritual formation. In both religious and civil views, a godparent tends to be an individual who is willing to help the child grow in faith and commit to helping them understand how to live their life in a Christian way.

The role of a godparent is a life-long commitment that involves special times and treats, but much more as well. Godparents are expected to give their time to their godchild to talk about the bigger questions of life, model and encourage them to develop Christian values, pray for them through the ups and downs of their life and their faith journey, and help them learn more about the Christian faith, through their church and in other ways.

A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother. The child is a godchild (i.e., godson for boys and goddaughter for girls) . Every child should have at least three godparents, two of the same sex and at least one of the opposite sex to the child. The role of godparents doesn’t necessarily have to revolve around religion, and most godparents take an active role in all aspects of the kid’s life.