Baptism

Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of
God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)

Expectant parents should call the parish office three (3) months prior to your baby's birth to make arrangements for Baptism.

The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.

At baptism, the presider prays over the water:

Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)

Freed from Sin

Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”

The Catechism teaches:

"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).

Baptismal Symbols

Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.

While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).

Baptism Requirements

For those who wish to baptize their infant child in our parish, below is a list of some of our requirements:

Registration
To baptize your child here, it is important that at least one parent is a registered, active member of our parish community. Regular attendance at Mass is required and participation in our parish ministries/activities is encouraged. Please ensure that you are registered members of our parish and have formally requested the preparation for baptism with our parish office.

Preparation
We offer a baptismal preparation class the second Thursday of the month in Our Lady of Peace classroom @ 6:00PM to help parents understand the significance of this sacrament and their role in their child's spiritual journey. Attendance at this class is mandatory for the parents. Register in advance by calling the parish office.

Godparents
Selecting godparents is a significant decision. They should be practicing Catholics who can guide your child in their faith. Attendance at a baptismal preparation class is also mandatory. Godparents may attend classes at their parish of registration however they must provide proof of attendance. Godparents must also provide a signed “Affidavit of Eligibility” from their parish. For answers to frequently asked questions related to choosing a godparent, click here.

Scheduling
Baptisms are typically scheduled during specific times throughout the year. Baptisms are currently taking place on the 2nd weekend of the month during the Sunday 9:30AM Mass and the Sunday 11:30AM bilingual Mass. We do not have Baptisms during the seasons of Lent and Advent. ALL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET in advance of determining the date for Baptism.

Need more information?

We want this sacrament to be a meaningful and spiritual experience for your family. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the requirements for preparing for Baptism, please do not hesitate to reach out to Helen Ortega in our parish office at (505) 473-4200.