Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19
Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213)
Who can be baptised?
For an adult to be baptised, the person must have manifested the intention to receive baptism, have been instructed sufficiently about the truths of the faith and Christian obligations, and have been tested in the Christian life through the catechumenate. For an infant to be baptised, one parent must be a baptised Catholic; there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic faith; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed. (Canon 868)
Role of sponsor (godparent)
A person to be baptised is to be given a sponsor/godparent who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfil faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
There should be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. (Canon 873)
A sponsor must have completed their sixteenth year of age; be a Catholic who has been confirmed, has made their first Holy Communion and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the role of a godparent; (Canon 873/4). A baptised person from another Christians community can serve as a ‘Christian witness,’ but not as a godparent.
Preparation course
A preparation course, spread over a period of four weeks, is provided for parents who wish to have their children baptised.
Baptism in our shared parish
- a child should be baptised in the parish in which his/her parents live and the church which they regularly attend.
- parents who live outside of St Patrick’s or St Alban’s parishes and who wish to have their child baptised in either church must be regular practising members of either St Patrick’s or St Alban’s.
- parents should have attended the preparation course. Please note that no dates for baptism can be considered until the preparation is completed and the parents feel able to make the commitment the Church asks of them.
If you are considering Baptism either for yourself or your child, please get in touch.