Q. 656.  What do we mean by the “pomps” of the devil?  A. By the pomps of the devil we mean all worldly pride, vanities and vain shows by which people are enticed into sin, and all foolish or sinful display of ourselves or of what we possess.

Q. 657. {163} Why is the name of a saint given in Baptism?  A. The name of a saint is given in Baptism in order that the person baptized may imitate his virtues and have him for a protector.

Q. 658.  What is the Saint whose name we bear called?  A. The saint whose name we bear is called our patron saint—­to whom we should have great devotion.

Q. 659.  What names should never be given in baptism?  A. These and similar names should never be given in baptism:  (1) The names of noted unbelievers, heretics or enemies of religion and virtue; (2) the names of heathen gods, and (3) nick-names.

Q. 660. {164} Why are godfathers and godmothers given in Baptism?  A. Godfathers and godmothers are given in Baptism in order that they may promise, in the name of the child, what the child itself would promise if it had the use of reason.

Q. 661.  By what other name are godfathers and godmothers called?  A. Godfathers and godmothers are usually called sponsors.  Sponsors are not necessary at private baptism.

Q. 662.  Can a person ever be sponsor when absent from the baptism?  A. A person can be sponsor even when absent from the baptism, provided he has been asked and has consented to be sponsor, and provided also some one answers the questions and touches the person to be baptized in his name.  The absent godfather or godmother is then said to be sponsor by proxy and becomes the real godparent of the one baptized.

Q. 663.  With whom do godparents, as well as the one baptizing, contract a relationship?  A. Godparents, as well as the one baptizing, contract a spiritual relationship with the person baptized (not with his parents), and this relationship is an impediment to marriage that must be made known to the priest in case of their future marriage with one another.  The godfather and godmother contract no relationship with each other.

Q. 664.  What questions should persons who bring a child for baptism be able to answer?  A. Persons who bring a child for baptism should be able to tell:  (1) The exact place where the child lives; (2) The full name of its parents, and, in particular, the maiden name, or name before her marriage, of its mother; (3) The exact day of the month on which it was born; (4) Whether or not it has received private baptism, and (5) Whether its parents be Catholics.  Sponsors must know also the chief truths of our religion.

Q. 665. {165} What is the obligation of a godfather and a godmother?  A. The obligation of a godfather and a godmother is to instruct the child in its religious duties, if the parents neglect to do so or die.

Q. 666.  Can persons who are not Catholics be sponsors for Catholic children?  A. Persons who are not Catholics cannot be sponsors for Catholic children, because they cannot perform the duties of sponsors; for if they do not know and profess the Catholic religion themselves, how can they teach it to their godchildren?  Moreover, they must answer the questions asked at baptism and declare that they believe in the Holy Catholic Church and in all it teaches; which would be a falsehood on their part.