Holy Baptism
The Miracle of Life
Bringing new life into the world – surely, one of the greatest of miracles? – brings with it many joys and blessings. A parent’s love for a child is a sharing in God’s love for us. Just as you want the very best for your baby – love, happiness, security and peace – so God desires the same for us and this is why God has placed this wonderful new life into your care.
Jesus teaches that the best that God wants for us is to be found through a relationship with Him in His Church. The Sacrament of Baptism is the door through which we pass to become members of Christ’s Church where we meet Him in the Eucharist and the other Sacraments.
Baptism is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, which also include Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Baptism
Baptism is the first of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, it is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), and can only be received once.
Anyone who has not already been baptised can receive the sacrament of baptism in the Catholic Church. There are no age restrictions for receiving baptism, you cannot be too young or too old to be baptised.
In the Catholic Church, infants and small children up to the age of 7 years old, can be baptised by a Bishop, Priest or Deacon. Children over the age of 7, and adults wishing to be baptised are required to undergo a programme of instruction known as R.C.I.A. (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults). The programme has been adapted for the use of children also. Those who have undergone this programme will normally be baptised by a Bishop or Priest.
Preparation
For the baptism of infants and small children, the parents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Meeting (Godparents are also encouraged to attend the meeting if they can). In our parish, this meeting is usually led by the Deacon. The purpose of these meetings is to help the parents (and Godparents), to examine and understand what their faith means to them. By doing this, they are then in a position to hand that faith onto their children. We discuss all aspects of our faith, as well as giving instruction on the Sacrament of Baptism itself. We also cover the role of the Godparents. We discuss the actual service of Baptism, the significance and meanings behind the signs and symbols used in the service, as well as explaining each stage of the service. In these meetings, our aim is to: instruct, inform and guide parents (and Godparents), through the process of Baptism Preparation in a relaxed and welcoming manner.
Godparents
Only 2 godparents (1 male and one female) are allowed.
A Sponsor or Godparent must be at least 16 years old, be a Catholic who has been Confirmed, made his/her First Holy Communion and is a practising Catholic i.e. regularly takes part in Sunday Mass in this parish or elsewhere. The role of the godparent is to support the parents in bringing the child up in the Catholic faith and taking on that responsibility totally should anything happen to prevent the parents from doing so. In addition, you may choose a Godparent who is not a Catholic if he/she is a baptised member of another Christian Church.
Fees
The church has no fee or charge for Baptism but a donation is usual.
Application for Baptism
The form below can be downloaded and completed as the first step in requesting Baptism for your child. If you do not live in this parish, then you must have the permission of your local parish priest to have the baby Baptised at SS Peter and Michael.
To arrange a meeting, please contact us at our parish email address or directly to Deacon Jim at j.mcgraw@rcaol.org.uk