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Holy Baptism is the "basis of the whole Christian life" and the "gateway to life in the Spirit" (CCC 1213). By it, God gives us unfathomable gifts:

  • the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our souls making us His holy temple

  • He infuses within our souls:

    • His sanctifying grace

    • the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit,

    • and the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love) 

  • Christ makes us a part of His very self, and therefore also a part of the Church (which is His Mystical Body) and a member in the priesthood of all believers

  • His holy presence washes away Original Sin and, if we are above the Age of Reason when baptized, also washes away Personal Sin and any accrued temporal punishment due to our sinfulness

  • the waters of Baptism usher us into participate in the other sacraments

  • Holy Baptism, by uniting us to Christ, makes us pleasing to the Father and ennobles us to follow Christ as we grow in grace and holiness

By choosing Holy Baptism for your child, you are asking God to make them His adopted son or daughter, and are saying by your actions that you desire for them these bountiful gifts of grace throughout their lives. The glory of Baptism requires that we prepare ourselves so that we can help our children continually unwrap these gifts as they grow in their Christian identity. It is a beautiful and solemn promise we make on their behalf--let us make our homes "domestic churches" where our little ones can know what love the Father has for them!

Steps for Baptism Preparation

For adults 18 years and older, enroll in OCIA.

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For children 7 to 17 years of age, enroll them in Faith Formation.

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For infants and children under the age of seven:

  1. Contact the parish to discuss your family’s request and how best to proceed. This step is essential to ensure we are on the same page from the start.

  2. Attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Because children are baptized on the desire and faith of the parents, this class informs the parents and godparents why we baptize, baptism's effects, and the obligations that go along with it. This is to empower them to make the promises that are proclaimed during a baptism celebration. Both the parents and godparents are required to attend.

  3. Complete and submit your paperwork (el papeleo en español): the Baptism Information Form, a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate, and the Godparent Eligibility Form. All forms are due two weeks prior to the baptism. Godparents stand as representatives of the Catholic Church at Baptism but also provide parents with support in raising their children in the Catholic Faith. You are encouraged to choose two Godparents (only one Godfather and only one Godmother). Those with only one Godparent are permitted to choose a non-Catholic Christian to serve as a Christian witness. According to the Canon Law, Godparents--without exception--must be:

    • over 16 years old

    • not the parent of the person to be baptized

    • have received all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)

    • be actively practicing their faith by attending Mass every Sunday and frequenting the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion 

    • be living a chaste single life if unmarried OR, if married, in a valid sacramental marriage through a wedding within the Catholic Church​

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