The Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism is the gateway to each of the other six Sacraments and is necessary for salvation, either by actual reception or at least by desire.
By it people are freed from sins, are born again as children of God, and are brought into the Catholic Faith.
By it people are freed from sins, are born again as children of God, and are brought into the Catholic Faith.
The parish priest is instructed by the Code of Canon Law (c.868) to ensure that there is a realistic hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic faith. If such hope is lacking and parents and/or sponsors cannot make these commitments the baptism should be deferred and the parents should be advised of the reason for this. This can be an opportunity for the priest to give pastoral counsel to the parents and help them to understand the importance of baptism and the necessity for the practice of faith.
Before a Baptism takes place parents are usually requested to attend a pre-Baptismal preparation evening.. There is no need to wait until the baby arrives before attending the pre-baptismal evening, after all, there will be a lengthy period of waiting before the child is born! Great care should be given to the choice of sponsor or godparent. This person or persons should be willing and able to help parents to hand on faith to the child and, therefore, should be a practising Catholic. Sponsors should be over sixteen years of age. The mother or father of the child cannot be a sponsor.
Baptism should take place in the parish in which the parents reside. If it is to take place in another church then the local parish priest should be asked for his permission. Normally, baptisms should take place in a church or oratory. In cases of necessity it can be administered in hospital. Baptism usually takes place on a Sunday.
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This information is intended for parents of school-age children and teachers who are imparting Religious Education within a Catholic school environment.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The contents of these documents are related to the present day teaching of the Catholic Church in relation to Doctrine, Liturgy and Catholic practices. There are also special sections on Catholic Marriage and arranging a funeral in the Catholic Church.
Information for parents asking to have a child baptised.
The parents of a child who is to be baptised, and those who are undertaking the office of sponsors, are to be suitably instructed on the meaning of this most special sacrament, and the obligations attaching to it. The parish priest is to see to it that either he or others duly prepare the parents, by means of pastoral advice, communal prayer, bringing families together, and also, where possible, by visitation. Parents are asked to have their child baptised as soon as possible after birth.
During the ceremony of baptism water and oil will be used. Water as a sign of cleansing and new life, oil of catechumens and chrism for anointing - this same oil of chrism will be used in the Sacrament of Confirmation, which completes the Sacrament of Baptism.
Parents should be aware of and consider the following:-
- Choosing a Christian name for their child.
- At least one parent must be a practising Catholic.
- Choosing at least one Godparent who is a practising Catholic
- Other sponsors may be invited to participate as Witnesses.
- There must be a strong desire to bring the child up in the Catholic faith.
- The priest must be morally sure that parents will hand on their faith.
- Parents will be asked to provide their certificate of marriage.
Remember baptism brings a child into the family of God
- It removes Original Sin
- It provides the basis for all other Sacraments
- It remains with a person for life
- It provides a constant source of grace or help from God
- It requires a person to live the Christian way of life.
A record of Baptism is kept in the place of Baptism and all future Sacraments e.g. Confirmation, Marriage, are notified to the place of Baptism.
Adult Baptism.
Adults wishing to be baptised are asked to follow a specific course of preparation which usually begins in the autumn of each year, culminating in Reception and Baptism the following year during the Easter Vigil. This course of preparation is called (RCIA) The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The candidate will be invited to meet with a small group of people, mainly ordinary men and women supported by the local priest or deacon. Usually they meet once per week and look at scripture, doctrine, liturgy and various practices within the Catholic community. It is stress free, there are no exams and the candidate is free to continue with or drop out of the course at any time.
Adults wishing to enquire into the Catholic Faith should consult with their local priest.
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About Baptism
- Baptism is…
- Baptism is how we get into Christ.
- Baptism is always accompanied by faith and repentance.
- Baptism is God's terms of surrender.
- Baptism is our signal to God we have accepted Christ's gospel.
- Baptism is the external washing with water and the internal washing away of sin by God.
- Baptism is "calling on the name of the Lord".
- Baptism is being unified with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection.
- Baptism is "clothing" ourselves with Christ.
- Baptism is "accepting" Christ (on His terms, not ours)
- Baptism is when our sins are forgiven.
- Baptism is when we receive the Holy Spirit.
- Baptism is how and when we come into contact with the blood of Christ.
- Baptism is when we are reborn.
- Baptism is an act of faith.
- Baptism is how we enter the kingdom of God.
- Baptism is when we are added to the body of Christ (the church).
- Baptism is when we exchange our life for His.
- Baptism is when we die to ourselves and come alive in Christ.
- Baptism is the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
- Baptism is the starting gun of a race of a new life.
- Baptism is proclaiming in Christ the resurrection of the dead.
- Baptism is when the old dies and the new arises. In this manner we become saved.
- Baptism is the point in time when we become saved.
- Baptism is when we stop living for ourselves and start living for Jesus.
- Baptism is how and when we scripturally make a conscious decision to dedicate our lives to Christ.
- Baptism is how we scripturally enter into a relationship with Christ.
- Baptism is the gavel striking the bench proclaiming forgiveness of sins, the end of the old and the birth of the new.