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SUGGESTIONS FOR GODPARENTS

You are a Sponsor for your godchild, and therefore responsible for him through the solemn promises you have made to God for him. Yours is a sacred relationship from which there should come much happiness and spiritual gain, both to you and to your godchild.

In carrying out your trust the following suggestions will prove helpful.

1. Form the habit of praying regularly for your godchild by name, and also when you make your Communion.

2. Cultivate your godchild's friendship. Multiply helpful contacts. Remember his birthdays and baptismal anniversaries with an appropriate letter or gift.

3. When your godchild is old enough see that he is enrolled in the Church school and that he is faithful in attendance.

4. Encourage him to attend the Church services. Go with him when possible.

5. See that he has a Bible and Prayer Book and that he uses them.

6. Remember your promises as a Sponsor to take heed "that this Child learn the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health" and "that this Child, so soon as sufficiently instructed, be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him."

7. Teach him to look forward eagerly to Confirmation, and by all means, be present with him at that service.

8. Go with your godchild to his First Communion and encourage him to receive his Communion regularly thereafter.

A Godparent's Prayer

O LORD Jesus Christ, who dost embrace children with the arms of Thy mercy, and dost make them living members of Thy Church; Give grace, I pray Thee, to my Godchild,
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to stand fast in Thy faith, to obey Thy word, and to abide in Thy love; that, being made strong by Thy Holy Spirit, he may resist temptation, and may rejoice in the life that now is, and dwell with Thee in the life to come; through Thy merits, O merciful Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.