Congratulations! The birth of your child is a wonderful moment of God’s Grace in the life of your family. This gift of God has come to you, not because you are the perfect parents (Lord knows there is no such thing) but because God has entrusted to your care this precious child. You, with God’s help, will nurture and help this child grow in wisdom, grace and love.
In the Rite of Baptism, in the Blessing that is given to the parents towards the end of the Baptismal Ceremony, the priest or deacon states: “You are the first teachers of this child in the ways of Faith”. This is so true. Before this child is even aware of priests and deacons, your child will be aware of you. Anyone who has ever studied the spiritual and emotional growth of children will tell you that children become very much like their parents. If the parents give a firm foundation to their child, in the way of Faith, that child will be set for life. That child will have a special and unique relationship with Jesus right from the first moments of his or her life.
The Sacrament of Baptism is not a social occasion. Of course we realize that there should be a day of celebration for the family in being together and eating together. The Sacrament of Baptism marks the beginning of a new way of life, a life lived in Faith, a life that is now part of the Church. This new life is celebrated with great rejoicing here at Blessed Sacrament Church. It is an occasion of joy for the Church and for all the People of God.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Baptism marks the beginning of a lifelong learning about Jesus. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Communion and Confirmation) which make a person a full member of the Roman Catholic Church. It is so important that as your child grows older you make sure your wonderful child learns about the Faith by enrolling your child in Religious Education Classes.
The following pages will help you to prepare yourselves and your child for the Sacrament of Baptism. You can always call us if you do not find the answers to your questions among the following information.
The Clergy of Blessed Sacrament Parish
A Parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church:
Every Parish has formalized boundaries in which the people who live within, that set space, are automatically Parishioners of that Church. No matter if you attend Mass in that Church, or not, you are still considered, by Church law, to be a Parishioner of that Parish in whose boundaries you live. Most people register in the Parish in which they live so as to formalize their relationship with that Parish and in doing this actively attend, and financially support, their Parish.
Occasionally, do we perform Baptisms for those who do not live within our Parish boundaries.
Selecting Sponsors (Godparents):
You will notice right away that what we commonly refer to as Godparents, the Roman Catholic Church refers to as Sponsors. The role of the Sponsor is to stand up and present this child for Baptism in the name of the Church.
Years ago, we referred to the godparent as the person who would take care of the child if, God forbid, something was to happen to the parents of the child. Of course, this never happened; members of the physical family, by civil law, would take care of the child, not the godparents. Where this thought came from, of taking care of the child, no one seems to know but it was a common perception.
The Roman Catholic Church has strict guidelines for those who are going to be Sponsors. The Sponsors will play a very important role in your child’s spiritual life. They will serve as role models of living the Roman Catholic Faith. Therefore, the Sponsors should be carefully chosen. In recognizing the importance of the Sponsors and their duties, the Roman Catholic Church (not Blessed Sacrament) has provided guidelines to help parents choose the best possible Sponsor for their child. Blessed Sacrament Church is not able to bend the rules so as to allow someone whom the parents have picked, but does not qualify to be a Sponsor, to act in that capacity. Blessed Sacrament Church, as should all Roman Catholic Churches, adhere to Canon Law in all aspects of the Sacrament of Baptism. If potential Sponsors are not practicing members of the Roman Catholic Church (meaning they do not go to Church weekly) or have converted from the Catholic Faith to any other faith, they should not be considered and will not be accepted.
The Roman Catholic Church states that there can be only two Sponsors. One must be male and the other must be female. It is desirable that both be Roman Catholics but it is realized that one may be a validly Baptized Christian (who was never a Roman Catholic). The validly Baptized Christian does not have to present a Sponsor Certificate, only the Roman Catholic has to present a Sponsor Certificate. The validly Baptized Christian will be recorded as being a "Christian Witness" in the Baptismal Register of the Church (the title “Christian Witness” will not appear on the Baptism Certificate of the child). We know that in some cultures there is a tradition of having multiple godparents. While we respect the traditions of other cultures, we remind you that only two names can be listed in the Baptismal Register and on the Baptism Certificate.
The Roman Catholic Church states that in order to receive a Sponsor Certificate a Roman Catholic must fulfill the following requirements:
1. The Roman Catholic must be attending Mass on a weekly basis and be living their life in accordance with the Roman Catholic Faith (this is what is commonly referred to as being in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church).
2. The Roman Catholic must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
3. The Roman Catholic, if married, must have been married in the Roman Catholic Church.
Getting a Sponsor Certificate:
All Roman Catholic Sponsors (Godparents) must obtain a Sponsor certificate from the parish where they attend weekly Mass stating that they are eligible to act as a Roman Catholic Sponsor at a Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church. These certificates are required in order to register, and set a date for your child to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Without the Sponsor Certificates (for both Sponsors who are Roman Catholic) you cannot schedule your child’s Baptism.
It is extremely embarrassing to ask a person to be a Sponsor and to find out later that they do not qualify to be an official witness of the Roman Catholic Church. Please make sure that the person you want to be a Sponsor (Godparent) fulfills the requirements as set forth by the Church: they go to Mass weekly, they have made the Sacrament of Confirmation, and if married, they were married in the Roman Catholic Church. Many times when a person is not able to be a Sponsor they become angry. The Church makes no judgment about the goodness of the person but only that they don’t fulfill what has been set down as the minimal requirements.
If a proposed Sponsor (Godparent) cannot give you a Sponsor Certificate then you must choose a different person to be a Sponsor (Godparent).
The Age at which a Child can be Baptized:
The Sacrament of Baptism can only be scheduled for infants and children under the age of 7. Children who are 7 years of age, or older, must take at least one year of Religious Education Classes before being baptized. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the age of 7 as being the age of reason. Once a child reaches this age they are able to learn, on a deeper level, what Baptism means and what the Sacrament entails.
The Child’s Birth Certificate:
In order to register your child for the Sacrament of Baptism, you will need to present not only the Sponsor Certificates but also a copy of the Birth Certificate of the child. If you need us to make a copy for you we will do so. The information listed on the Birth Certificate is the information that will be recorded in the Baptismal Register, and written on the Baptismal Certificate.
What comes next:
Once you have gathered the required paperwork, you shoould make an appointment with one of the priests of the Parish. They will have you come in and fill out the Baptism registration form.
At that time, it will be determined if an additional meeting is necessary or if a date can be given for the Sacrament of Baptism to take place.
Dates for Baptism will be scheduled by the priest who is working with you. No information will be given to anyone else in regards to dates and times.
Pictures during the Baptism:
Pictures and video are a wonderful way of recording the Baptism of your child. We ask that those who are taking the pictures, or video, be mindful of where they are. They should always act in a respectful manner and should not distract the parents of the child, the Sponsors (Godparents), and especially the child. Once the Baptism is over, if time allows, you may take additional pictures.
What Should the Child Wear?:
A white gown, or suite, is customary but not required. If a bonnet or hat is worn, it must be removed before the baptism begins. We ask that the parents loosen the top button of the gown or shirt so that the anointing with the Oil of the Catechumens can be placed at the bottom of the neck of the child who is being Baptized. Blessed Sacrament Parish will provide a white Baptismal Bib and a Baptismal Candle for your child. These are yours to keep as a memento of your child’s Baptism. This Baptismal Candle can be burned on the anniversary of your child’s Baptism.
Is there a fee or charge for a Baptism?:
There is no fee, or charge, to have a Baptism here at Blessed Sacrament Church. However many families wish to offer a donation, to the Church, on the occasion of their child’s Baptism. This may be placed in an envelope and given to the priest on the day of the baptism when you are issued your child’s baptism certificate. If this donation is in the form of a check please make it out to Blessed Sacrament Church and not to the priest, or deacon, who has conferred the Sacrament.
Recording the Baptism and Issuing the Certificate:
The Baptism of your child will be recorded in the permanent records of Blessed Sacrament Church from the information you provide. Therefore please be sure of the accuracy of the information and the spelling of names. A Baptism Certificate will be given to you following the baptism. The information that is recorded becomes the permanent and historic record of the Church, these records cannot be changed.