Baptism and Becoming Catholic

Baptizing Your Baby

“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.” Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1213

“Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks” after birth. (canon 867.1)

“An infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.” (canon 867.2)

Anyone can baptize when there is a danger of death by pouring clean water over the head while reciting the Trinitarian formula: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Our Catechism reminds us that: “parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.” CCC, 1250. Before the baptism of their first child, parents are asked to attend a preparation session for this sacrament. Please contact the parish office to make arrangements.

Listen to this homily by Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

Choosing Godparents (Sponsors)

BEFORE you ask anyone to be a godparent for your child, please read carefully the Sponsor (Godparent) Requirements
Godparents must meet all of the requirements and a Sponsor Certificate must be properly filled out for each godparent. Baptisms are usually performed after the last Sunday Mass, or after the Saturday evening vigil Mass. They may also be performed during any of the Sunday Masses (including the vigil Mass on Saturday evening). You may wish to read “Baptism for Your Baby” which examines the teaching of Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For a fuller explanation about Catholic teaching on baptism, please go to the online section of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church on Baptism,” or read the U.S. Bishops’ explanation of Baptism and RCIA.

Choosing a Name for your Child

The name you choose for your child should not be foreign to Christian sensibility (canon 855). A name gives an identity to your child that they will carry for a lifetime. While not required, many Catholics choose to name their children after a saint of the Church. This could be either their first or second name. Consider these reasons why you may wish to consider naming your child after a saint:

A saint’s name will help to foster your child’s Christian identity.
They will receive the special aid of their Patron Saint (like a second guardian angel).
It will give your child a special Feast Day to celebrate (the Feast Day of their saint).
Their own name will remind them of God and his love for them, through the help of this saint.
It will help your child to personalize their faith.
It will give them a role model to follow.
It will remind them to seek heaven above all else (to become like their saint).
It will help to establish a Catholic Christian culture in your home.

Baptism for Non-Infants (age 7 through adulthood)

In the Roman Catholic Church, a child may be baptized according to the rite for infants up through age 6. When the child reaches the age of reason however (age 7), they begin to be able to make choices between right and wrong. At this point, the Church feels that they should be involved in the process of their initiation. Therefore, they are no longer baptized as infants, and for the sake of Christian initiation, are treated as adults. Their formation follows the same pattern as outlined in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), with age appropriate adaptations for their instruction. They will need to be enrolled in Catholic religious education for at least two years, and then would receive baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, along with the adults who are being baptized at that time. For more information on this process, see our section on “How Can I Become Catholic?“.

Becoming Catholic (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the normal process by which one becomes Catholic, once the age of seven has been attained. RCIA is the Church’s way of initiating new members or completing an initiation that has been interrupted. Non-Catholics are also invited to attend and explore more deeply what Catholics believe.

You can also READ STORIES about other people’s journey to Catholicism

RCIA is for:

Those who desire Baptism.
Baptized non-Catholics who want to learn more about what Catholics believe and who may, or may not, want to become Catholic.
Those baptized Catholic who have not received further Catholic training, or sacraments.

For more information read the full section on “How Can I Become Catholic?“