Roman Catholic Christening. Godparents and dress.?

I have a 3 year old son and I am going to contact my local church regarding his Christening. I wanted to know how many of each Godparent he should have. I am my cousins God mother and she has two God mothers and one God father. Does a boy have to have one God mother and two God fathers or is just one of each OK? Also what should he wear? All baby's, regardless of sex, wear a dress but he's 3 now and I don't think he'd put one on (not that I'd dress him in one now anyway) but is a little suit OK or is that too dressy? Would smart trousers/jeans and a shirt be OK? Also I am a Roman Catholic but my partner isn't, he was christened Roman Catholic but then never had his first holy communion or confirmation. Would he be asked to have these? Thanks for your help!

Ideally, the child should have both a godmother and godfather; the role of the godparents is to help with raising the child, and should the parents die, take over their role. That being said, however, only one godparent is really needed. The selection of the godparent(s) should come down to who you feel is best suited for the role. If you can think of more than one person that meets the criteria, great. If just one, then that should work too.

The godparent must be a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed. The same applies for at least one of the parents of the child.

In your case, as long as you have been confirmed in the Catholic faith, you should be able to get your son christened. Some churches will raise a fuss about only one parent being Catholic (until you are confirmed you are not considered an adult in the Catholic faith), but it really is not required.

For your son, a little suit would probably be the best idea for dress. You and the godparent(s) could get away with something a little more casual, but do keep in mind you will up in front of the Church and God and everyone in what you are wearing, and you likely will want lots of pictures to remember this by. White is a good co lour, since it represents innocence and purity, but it really is not important what co lours are worn.

Also, most churches require parents to take a preparation course before baptizing their children. I do not know about your church, but do keep in mind the ceremony may not happen for a while.

two Godparents and a suit.

A child should have two Godparents - a godmother and godfather. The godparents should be practicing Catholics. They are to be role models for the child and assist you in raising your child in the Catholic faith.

Speaking of raising a child in the catholic faith, I assume by the use of the word "partner", that the man you are living with is not your husband. Have you considered what you are teaching your child about the sacrament of Matrimony by living with a man who is not your husband?

Having your child baptized is kind of meaningless if you are not going to teach him about the Catholic faith by the way you are living.

If baptism is important to you, then Matrimony should also be as important to your life.

I don't know how that happened as there can only be two and never more than two.

You can have just one, but if you have two then one is female and one is male. You cannot have two of the same sex.

Secondly, you don't need to put him in a dress. A suit is fine. JCPenny has a nice selection. Usually the child is dressed in white to symbolize being washed white with baptism.

Thirdly, no, he would not need to receive this first. But maybe this will help you guys start going back to Mass.

Website regarding the role of godparents with questions and answers:

http://www.catholicdoors.com/courses/godpar.htm