The Sacrament of Baptism opens the door to a new life in Jesus Christ… a life that goes beyond our death and into the life of heaven after our death.
Baptism is the sacrament of salvation: an encounter with God that cleanses us from sin and makes us true children of God, sharing in his very own divine life.
This great gift is offered to all who believe and to the children of families of faith. Since her earliest days, the Church has baptized adults and children because it is the only ordinary way God has revealed that we may receive the grace of salvation through this sharing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation. The other two are Confirmation and Holy Communion (Eucharist). Children typically receive the other Sacraments of Initiation after reaching age 7 and before age 16.
Baptism of Infants and Children (under age 7)
Godparents
It is an ancient custom and also a requirement of Church law that each new Christian have at least one sponsor, traditionally called a godparent, who “together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations” of this new life. (Code of Canon Law, 872)
Church law and our diocese provide guidelines for the qualifications to serve as a godparent. The reason for these requirements is to ensure that the new Christian will have the support they need from their sponsor who will promise to pray for them and help them as they prepare for other sacraments and seek to live out their baptism throughout their lifetime.
Parent’s Role & Promise
During the Baptismal Rite, parents present the child to be baptized and is addressed by the priest: “You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”
Parents respond with “We do.” Godparents are then addressed with a question: ”Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?”
Later, the priest, addressing the parents and godparents, says:
“Dear parents and godparents: You have come here to present this child for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit he (she) is to receive the gift of new life from God, who is love. On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring him (her) up in the practice of the faith. See that the divine life which God gives him (her) is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in his (her) heart. If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own baptism. Reject sin; profess your faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith of the Church. This is the faith in which this child is about to be baptized.
- Do you reject Satan?
- And all his works?
- Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God’s children?
- Do you reject the glamor of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?
- Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?
- Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
- Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
- Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
The parents and godparents profess faith on behalf of the child to be baptized since the child is yet unable to profess it him- or herself. These actions before God and others are immense and must be done not just with the lips but with life itself. The parents and godparents then have the responsibility of sharing and witnessing to the child the faith which they have professed on the child’s behalf so that in time the child may accept it as his or her own.
A non-Catholic parent does not need to make the profession of faith during the Baptism if he or she does not share the Catholic faith. However, this parent, in requesting Baptism for the child, must give permission for the child to be instructed and raised in the faith of the Church in which the child is Baptized.
Parents who are asking for Baptism for a child for the first time are required to attend a Baptism preparation program to talk over the nature of the Baptismal Rite as well as the role of parents in raising children in the profession and practice of the Catholic faith. Contact the Parish Office for more details.
Requirements to be a Godparent
To be a Godparent, an individual must:
1) Be living an evident life of Catholic Christian faith, including regular Mass attendance and Confession.
2) Be at least 16 years of age.
3) Have received the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.
4) Be married in the Church, if married.
5) Not be the Father or Mother of the person to be baptized.
Each person to be baptized is allowed a Godfather and Godmother, yet only one Godparent which meets the above requirements is necessary. Non-Catholic Christians cannot serve as Godparents, but are certainly welcome at the Baptism and may stand in for a Godparent as a “Christian Witness”.
Baptism of Adults (and children age 7 and up)
Following the spread of Christianity in the first few generations after the resurrection of Jesus, the Catholic Church developed a process to prepare adults for entry into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion (Eucharist). Today, the Church calls this process the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults or or OCIA. Through this process, those who express interest in becoming Catholic are welcomed into a special community within the parish to learn about the teachings of Jesus and his Church, to have their questions answered, learn about the new life in Christ offered by baptism, and prepare for the reception of the Sacraments.
Please contact us to get started! Nothing more than an interest in learning more about Catholicism is needed to begin. There is no pressure, only welcome and support as you freely journey towards union with Christ and his Church.
Children who have reached age 7 and have not yet been baptized are considered “adults” with consideration for the reception of sacraments. This is because – at age 7 – they are able to take personal responsibility for their sins and are able to make a profession of faith on their own. A special preparation process is provided for them. Parents, please contact us so that we can help you get started. It is never too late to baptize your children.
Common Baptism Questions
How Do I Get My Child Baptized at Saint Agnes?
Congratulations on your new baby!
Our Parish rejoices with you and looks forward to helping you welcome your child into God’s family and our community at Baptism.
Baptism is the Sacrament that washes us clean of Original Sin and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church. Baptism is also the beginning of the Christian life. In it and through it, we inherit a share in God’s love and life: the eternal love of the Trinity.
Here are some helpful points for celebrating Baptism at Saint Agnes:
Baptisms are usually held on Sundays, around 12:15 p.m. in the Church font (just after the 11:00 a.m. Mass).
To have your child baptized at Saint Agnes, parents need to have been registered parishioners at St. Agnes for at least three months and they must attend a Baptismal preparation program. Please contact the Parish Office or sacraments@saintagnes.org for more information.
Do Godparents Assume the Role of Parents if Both Parents Should Pass Away While the Children are Minors?
Traditionally, godparents often filled this role in the event that both parents died while the child is a minor. However, this is not the case in modern society. Any legal needs to provide for your children should be taken care of in addition to your child’s baptism. While it may be the case that a godparent would make a very suitable candidate for this role, the Church does not make any connection between these unique roles in the care of children in this most difficult circumstance.
Can I Be My Own Child’s Godparent?
No. According to the Code of Canon Law: “To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor [for baptism], a person must . . . not be either the father or the mother of the person to be baptized” (CIC 874). We may be able to help you find a suitable person to serve as a godparent.
What Are Some Other Baptism Resources?
Watch Reborn: You, Your Child and The Heart of Baptism
Is baptism necessary for salvation
What is the role of a godparent and who can be one?
What is the background for godparents…?