Godparents

[Pam Santos]

Why would they only have one male godparent? Also why would they have the same godparents for multiple children?

[Cheri Mello]

Pam S,

One male godparent?  Because no females were available?  Or they invoked the Virgin Mary?  My nephew has 2 godparents (they were a married couple) and my niece only has 1 godparent (me).  Maybe other list members have other ideas.

Why do they have the same godparents for multiple children?  Because they like that couple or maybe because it was a couple with money or status?  Again, maybe others have other ideas.
Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada

[alleva...@gmail.com]

Maybe they wanted to keep the kids together if anything happened to them (the parents)

Sent from my iPhone

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[Frederick Souza]

I don't think it is so uncommon for there to be one set of godparents for all the children.  Since this was often not only a religious custom, it also provided an indication of who would get custody of the children in the event of the parent's death.  Also, ala "The Godfather" in some instances it was a status issue to have a Padrinho who was "connected" or had money.

Thank you,

Frederick Souza

19 Owen Drive

Stonington, CT 06378-1012

      860-535-2670     mailto:fsou...@comcast.net

[belle...@gmail.com]

My own children have different godmothers but both have the same godfather, a beloved brother in law. One of the reasons...my husband's only brother was not Catholic.

"E"

[Mary Bordi]

On Oct 25, 2012, at 5:42 AM, Frederick Souza <fsou...@comcast.net> wrote:

> I don't think it is so uncommon for there to be one set of godparents for all the children.

My great grandfather (Rosais, Sao Jorge) and his nine siblings had the same godparents.

Fortunately, their mother lived to be 100!

Mary

[Pam Santos]

Thanks everyone,  My son has two godmothers and no godfather and I thought that was out of the ordinary for these times, so back then I that it would be even more out of the ordinary.

[Alda Jorge]

On the idea of the same godparents

My daughters have the same godparents and I in turn with my husband are the godparents of that couple's children

My granddaughter was baptized this weekend and she now has two godmothers and one godfather. which in our religion and family tradition is a bit out of the norm.  But the baby's mother wanted her two sister to have a hand in helping her raising her daughter just in case

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www.aldasplace.ca
Alda B. owner/operator

[Pam Santos]

Yeah I hadn't very good luck with Male godparents. Its like the disappeared from their lives after the baptism, and they were both step brothers of my ex husband.

[Cheri Mello]

One good thing about having the same godparents....
I was researching Sao Miguel Arcanjo (Matriz) in Vila Franca do Campo on Sao Miguel for a Manuel Somebody and Maria de Jesus.  And wouldn't you know, there was another couple named Manuel Somebody and Maria de Jesus (my genealogy program is not up at the moment, so I can't remember Manuel's surname).  I knew I had 2 different couples with the same name because I was finding baptisms only a few months apart.  So I had to collect them all.  One Manuel & Maria had the same godparents on their kids.  The other had 2 or 3 different couples.  So I created a family group based on the godparents.  I really don't know if I'm 100% correct.  I guess when I meet St. Peter at the Pearly White Gates I will ask for Manuel and Maria and I'll ask them if I was right!  LOL

[Pam Santos]

LOL don't you hate it when you have two couples with the same names!!! George straightened out one but I am still trying to short out another.

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