“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church §1213
8 years of age or older?
– You will need to go through OCIA.
Children between 8 and 14 years of age?
– You will go through OCIA Adapted for Children, a 2-year program.
For children 7 and under:
Steps to have your child Baptized:
- Attend a Baptismal Seminar (Parents AND Sponsors) – Baptismal Seminars are usually held on the second Saturday of each month. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED and can be requested by our online FORM or by contacting our Parish Office If you have already attended one within the last two years from the date of the scheduled baptism, you will need to submit the certificate of completion. After two year, you will need to complete another seminar.
- Complete a Baptismal Packet – Parents/guardians wanting to have their child baptized must complete a Baptismal Packet.
- Submit all Sponsor Letters/Forms –The prospective godparent(s) is required to be an ACTIVE and practicing Catholic and should obtain a sponsor letter or form from the parish where he or she is registered. If the godparent is an active registered parishioner here at St. Francis of Assisi, he or she is required to complete and submit a Sponsor Eligibility Form (see link below for a downloadable form). If the potential sponsor has NOT been ACTIVELY registered here at St. Francis of Assisi for at least 6 months, that person will need to have their previous parish complete the Sponsor Eligibility Form. “Actively registered” means placing identifiable contribution envelopes in the collection basket at weekly Mass, serving as a volunteer at our parish, and/or being an active member of one of our parish ministries. The sponsors are required to attend a Baptism Seminar as well.
Forms
- A Guide for Parents: Baptism Preparation
- Baptismal Packet Online Form
- Baptism Seminar Form (Reservation Request)
- Canon Law Baptismal Sponsors
- The Biblical Basis for the Sacraments of Initiation: Article from St. Augustine Catholic Magazine
Sponsors & Christian Witnesses (according to Canon Law)
- Only one male OR one female Sponsor OR one of each gender is to be selected.
- At least one of the godparents is required to be in Full Communion with the Catholic Church, registered at a parish, and participate in Sunday Mass and Holy Days.
- A person who is baptized in another Christian faith, is called a Christian Witness.
- A sponsor must be at least 16 years of age and may not be the mother or father of the person receiving a sacrament.
Baptismal dates are not set until a Baptismal Seminar has been completed and all paperwork (including Sponsor Eligibility Forms) have been submitted and approved.
You do not have to wait until your child’s birth to complete a seminar.
Pope Francis quote on the Sacrament of Baptism:
Apr 2018 – Weekly General Audience in Paul VI Hall at Vatican City
“Baptism permits Christ to live in us, and to live united with Him, in order to collaborate in the Church, each according to his or her own condition, to the transformation of the world.”