ARTICLE I: ON PATRONS

Patrons are, as it were, spiritual fathers, who lift the baptized person from the sacred font, and, in default of the parents, undertake care of him.

1265. Principles. - I. In solemn Baptism there must, under grave obligation, be employed at least one patron, whether he be a man or a woman; nor can more than two licitly be employed. Thus Trent established.¹ But if a Parish Priest were to admit more patrons than two, he would sin gravely, because he would violate the precept of the Church imposed under grave obligation, lest relationships be multiplied.²

II. In order that someone be truly a patron, the following conditions are required: 1° that he have the use of reason, and himself be baptized; 2° that he have been designated by the parents, or justly by the Parish Priest; 3° that he touch the one to be baptized, by himself or at least through another, and indeed physically (which more probably also holds as regards adults to be baptized³), and in the ablution itself, so that it does not suffice if it is done among the ceremonies;⁴ 4° that he have the true intention of carrying out the office of a patron.⁵

1266. Questions. - Query 1° What are the obligations of patrons?

Resp. They are held to fulfill the office of teacher in a case of necessity, or when the parents of the little child are lacking. Hence they are held to instruct the baptized person concerning Faith, morals, various obligations, etc. But they are released from every obligation when they can prudently presume that the baptized person is diligently instructed by the parents.⁶

Consequently the priest, after Baptism has been conferred, must warn the patrons concerning the obligations undertaken, and besides concerning the spiritual relationship contracted. - But concerning that relationship contracted through Baptism we shall speak where we treat of the impediments of Matrimony.

Query 2° In private Baptism must a patron necessarily be employed?

Resp. Negatively, because he does not seem to be required by the Church except for solemn Baptism. Nevertheless also in private Baptism he can be employed, and more laudably is employed. - Thus commonly with St. Alphonsus.⁷ But if he is employed and lifts the infant with the intention of a patron, he contracts relationship.⁸

Query 3° Can the patrons be two males, or two females?

Resp. Negatively, because Trent established that at most two patrons can be employed, namely a man and a woman. But it is probable that it is only venial, if it is done thus. Several, however, with Bonacina, think that it is mortal. - "This seems truer," says St. Alphonsus,¹ "if the patrons were of a different sex from the infant, because thus the relationships would be multiplied, which Trent wished to prohibit; otherwise if they were of the same sex."

Query 4° Must the patron of a male, if he is the only one, be male, and of a female, female?

Resp. More probably, negatively; because Trent says: "Whether man, or woman"; therefore a man or a woman can be employed indiscriminately.²

Query 5° Who are prohibited from being patrons?

Resp. Validly indeed, but illicitly, the following are patrons: 1° an Abbot and Monk, or a Religious and Nun of any Order in which solemn vows are emitted (or of any religious Institute whatever, in whose Rule this is prohibited), and this whether by himself or by procurator; 2° spouses with respect to spouses, and parents with respect to children; 3° all who are of depraved morals and lost reputation, as heretics, unbelievers, those publicly excommunicated or interdicted, those who are not of sound mind, those who are ignorant of the rudiments of the faith. - Therefore those notoriously enrolled in condemned societies, public concubinarians, and other public criminals are to be kept away. - Besides, "it is most fitting that patrons be at least in the age of puberty, and marked with the Sacrament of Confirmation." - Concerning a heretical patron Kenrick warns:⁴ "To avoid grave offense, sometimes a heretic who presents himself as sponsor is not openly repelled: nevertheless he is never to be admitted as sponsor, but the parents are to be warned that only a Catholic can perform that office: wherefore the custom of some persons everywhere receiving heretics for that office is altogether to be disapproved, being satisfied if one or the other sponsor is Catholic."