Baptism

Baptism Information & Church Teaching

Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives us access to the other sacraments. 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).
“Baptism, the gateway to the sacraments, is necessary for salvation, either by actual reception or at least by desire. By it people are freed from sins, and born again as children of God and, made like to Christ by an indelible character, are incorporated into the Church. It is validly conferred only by a washing in real water with the proper form of words.” (Canon 849)
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which gives us access to all other sacraments of the Church. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the "sacraments of initiation" by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ. The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, page 867). 

Baptism Brochure of the Diocese of St. Augustine, click here.
The parents are the leaders of the house church, the basic unit and foundation of the Church, and their full, active and conscious practice of their faith is an ongoing lesson on how to be a dynamic Catholic. The child learns the faith through assimilation. Because the parents love God, the child learns to love God. Because the parents pray each day, the child learns to pray. Because the parents go to Mass each Sunday, the child learns the importance of going to Mass, the value of communal liturgical prayer and how to behave in church. And because the parents practice the virtues in their daily living, the child learns how to live a Christian lifestyle. (Read more from this article)
It is the duty of Christian godparents to assist the parents with this all-important task. The godparent is “able and ready to help the newly baptized . . . on the road of the Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1255). Godparents cannot give or support what they do not have. Without the gift of faith themselves, they cannot support the faith in someone else. (Read more from this article)

Parish Baptism Policies

Baptisms are celebrated:

• Publicly, most Sat / Sun during Mass (Noon, 10, 12, 2)
• Privately, some Saturdays after 1:30 pm, most Sundays after 2:30 pm
• Baptisms are not possible during Mass during Lent
• No Baptisms are possible on Palm Sunday, Corpus Christi Sunday, or on days when other special events are occurring.
• Baptisms can not be scheduled until after Parents have attended Sacramental Formation Session
• Baptisms must be scheduled one month in advance, after the completion and submission of necessary information.

Forms/Letters

If you are ready to proceed with asking the Church for the Sacrament of Baptism for your child, please fill out this form:  English | Spanish.
Deacon Chuck Patterson (or Noe Lopez) will be in touch with you as soon as we receive and process the form.

Godparents/Sponsors: After filling out the Baptism request form, please print and fill out this form:  English | Spanish regarding Godparents/Sponsors eligibility. Please give this form to Deacon Chuck Patterson (or to Noe Lopez for the Hispanic Community) or mail to / drop off at the parish office.

If you are not a registered parishioner and / or are not living within the parish boundaries, you will need recognition & 'permission' of the pastor of your home parish or parish within which boundaries you live in order for the Priests / Deacons of this parish to be able to baptize your child.

If you would like detailed information about Baptism Policies in the Diocese of St. Augustine, click here.