Having godchildren is an honor and responsibility. Many people wonder just how many godchildren it is reasonable or allowed for one person to have. There are no absolute limits set down in law or church doctrine, but there are some practical considerations that can help determine what number of godchildren works best.
What is a Godparent?
A godparent is someone who sponsors a child’s baptism or christening in the Catholic or Anglican faiths. They make a commitment to spiritually mentor the child and help ensure they are raised in the faith. Godparents are not required to be legal guardians if something happens to the parents, though they may be designated as such. Their primary role is a spiritual one.
Responsibilities of Godparents
The responsibilities of godparents vary between denominations, but commonly include:
- Attending the baptism ceremony
- Helping the parents raise the child in the faith
- Setting a good example of Christian living for the godchild
- Remembering the godchild through gifts, cards, letters on important occasions
- Being a trustworthy adult the godchild can turn to for advice and support
- Praying for the spiritual well-being of the godchild
Spiritual Significance
Being a godparent has deep spiritual meaning. The godparent makes a commitment before God to care for the soul of the child. They vow to help the parents provide for the godchild’s spiritual upbringing and growth in the Catholic or Anglican faith. It is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
How Many Godchildren Can You Have?
There are no universal limits on how many godchildren one person can have. Some common-sense guidelines include:
- 1-4 godchildren – A manageable number for most people if they are actively involved as a godparent should be.
- 5-7 godchildren – Doable for those who are particularly devoted to the role and duties.
- 8+ godchildren – Difficult to fulfill the role properly for this many children.
Practical Considerations
When deciding how many godchildren to take on, consider:
- Your ability to develop personal relationships with each godchild.
- The time you can devote to remembering each child for gifts, occasions, spiritual guidance.
- Your capacity to pray regularly and sincerely for each godchild.
- Whether you can set an actively engaged Christian example for all godchildren.
If you spread yourself too thin with too many godchildren, you risk not being as effective in the role and fulfilling your spiritual duties.
Celebrity Godparents
Some celebrity godparents end up taking on very large numbers of godchildren, sometimes ten or more. However, their ability to be truly involved in each child’s spiritual development is questionable. For the average person, it is best to keep your godchildren to a reasonably manageable number you can devote quality time and attention to.
Requirements to be a Godparent
Here are the typical requirements set by the Catholic and Anglican churches for someone to be a godparent:
Catholic Church Requirements
- At least 16 years old
- A fully initiated Catholic (received baptism, first communion, and confirmation)
- Lead a life of active faith in the Catholic church
- Not prohibited by law from exercising guardianship roles
- Not the biological or adoptive parent of the child
Anglican Church Requirements
- Baptized in the Anglican faith
- Active, communicant member of the Anglican church
- At least 14 years old
- Set a Christian example you want the godchild to follow
- Intends to have an active spiritual role in the child’s life
As long as you meet the church’s criteria, you can prayerfully discern how many godchildren you feel called to spiritually mentor.
Choosing the Right Number of Godchildren
When trying to decide how many godchildren to take on, consider the following:
Your Motivations
Be sure your motivation comes from a sincere calling to help parent the child spiritually, not from perceived social status. The role is about the child’s soul, not the godparent’s ego.
Your Stage of Life
When you’re young and single, you may have more capacity to be involved with more godchildren. If you marry and have your own children, your ability to focus on numerous godkids diminishes.
Spread Them Out
Consider taking on godchildren at different stages of your life rather than all at once. It can help make each relationship more meaningful.
| Age Range | Recommended Godchildren |
|---|---|
| 16-25 | 1-2 |
| 26-35 | 2-3 |
| 36-50 | 3-5 |
| 50+ | 1-3 |
Consider Asking Others
If someone asks you to be godparent but you already have several, consider recommending someone else you feel could fulfill the role well. This can be a gracious way to avoid over-committing yourself.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
When prayerfully considering how many godchildren to have, focus on the quality of relationships you can develop rather than racking up big numbers. It’s better to invest wholeheartedly in a few godchildren than spread yourself too thin among many. Consider the spiritual responsibility very seriously before committing.
The Impact of a Godparent
Being a godparent can have an enormous impact on a child’s spiritual development when done devotedly. Even one godchild you care for diligently is immensely meaningful. The number matters far less than the quality of spiritual mentorship you provide. Whether you have one godchild or several, be sure you live out the vocation faithfully and joyfully.
Conclusion
There are no set rules from the Catholic or Anglican churches on how many godchildren one person can have. The most important factors are your ability to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of each godchild, and to fulfill the duties of the role faithfully. Most people find 1-4 godchildren a manageable number to develop close, meaningful mentoring relationships with. The best approach is to prayerfully discern each request thoughtfully, considering your season of life and current responsibilities. Focus on quality over quantity, and you will be a blessing to your godchildren no matter how many you have.